Author: Gregory Whitis
Planning Unit: McCreary County CES
Major Program: Get Moving Kentucky (Physical Activity Based Programs)
Plan of Work: Healthy Families & Community
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
Get Healthy McCreary Walking Series
Importance: McCreary County consistently ranks in the top five counties for the following; Diabetes (18%), Hypertension (43%), Obesity (38%), Overweight (73%) Smoking (36%), Physical Inactivity (33%), and Heart Disease. According to County Health & Roadmaps McCreary County is ranked 113 out of 120 counties for Overall Health, 120 out of 120 in Quality of Life (health related), Health Factors 116 out of 120 and Health Behaviors 118 out of 120.
Our population is a very unhealthy population and most of those factors are related to lack of physical activity.
Educational Program: The Lake Cumberland District Health Department secured a $10,000 Diabetes Education Grant from Marshal University for the Get Healthy McCreary County Health Coalition to conduct diabetes education programs.
McCreary County has over 200 miles of trails in the Daniel Boone Nation Forest, Big South National River and Recreation Area and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.
One segment of this grant was to development a guide to ten hiking/walking trails that were rated easy and two miles or less in length. The brochure was developed with description and directions.
The other segment of the grant was conduct a ten week walking series to walk these trails as a group. The goal was to select trails that people who were physically inactive would feel comfortable walking. The main goal was to get people out and moving and experience the trails system we have. As part of the walking series walking/hiking stick and backpacks were purchased. Health informational media pieces were also giving out.
Role of Extension: The Extension Agent serves on the Get Healthy McCreary County Coalition. The Extension Agent determined the best ten trails for the program, prepared the information for the brochure, researched and found the hiking/walking sticks and backpacks, conducted an orientation for potential participants and lead nine of the ten walks.
Impact:
Questions on ending survey.
1. Did this program increase your knowledge of what a day pack should contain? Yes 88% No 12%
2. Did some of the “walks” challenge you physically? Yes 76% No 24%
3. Are you more aware of places to walk in the county than before you participated in this program? Yes 96% No 4%
4. Did you become more physically active while participating in the program? Yes 92% No 8%
5. Will you continue to increase exercise - such as walking after this program is over? Yes 96% No 4%
6. Have you returned with family/friends to any of the places we went? Yes 42% No 58%
7.Does walking make you feel healthier? Yes 100% No 0%
8.Have you been diagnosed as Diabetic or Pre-Diabetic? Yes 31% No 69%
9.On a scale of 1-3 with 1 being a little and 3 being a lot how much fun has your walking experiences been? 1 0% 2 0% 3 100%
10. Have you increased your friend network through the walking program? Yes 81% No 19%
11. Should the program continue? Yes 100% No 0%
12. Please share anything else you want us to know?
younger people and runners.
Evaluation Method: Participants were given a written survey at the end of the program.
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