According to the 2017 KY: County Health rankings Knott County ranks 117 of 120 Kentucky counties in health outcomes. The report stats the county obesity rate is 40% and the level of physical inactivity is 37%. Obese individuals are at an increased risk for many chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some types of cancers. Increased consumption of unhealthy food, stress and a built environment that divides the communities and makes it difficult to access opportunities for physical activity are largely responsible for the obesity epidemic in Knott County. In order to reach adults with a hectic lifestyle “Get Healthy: Knott County” was implemented to help individuals develop and implement skills to live a healthier life style. A variety of teaching modes were used to engage participants in the “Get Healthy” program including face-to-face meetings and on-line programs using Facebook Live. The county family and consumer science agent, county nutrition paraprofessional assistants and county program assistant offered a 7week “live” Facebook program. Each week during the “live” Facebook program, the agent would present a short 10-15 minute program highlighting a nutrition topic and demonstrate a recipe. Participants were encouraged to ask questions. The nutrition education paraprofessionals would answer questions during the filming. The family and consumer science agent would follow up with the questions adding more detailed answers. The county program assistant operated the camera and kept track of all the statistics. Participants are able to categorize food according to My Plate, describe portion sizes, interpret a nutrition label, and plan a menu. Post evaluations show participants continue to be physically active, have decreased the amount of soda they drink, drink more water and are controlling portion sizes. The program posted on Facebook received 5,438 views, by 1,387 individuals and was shared 178 times. Comments on Facebook included: “I am using portion control at each meal”, “I read food labels and am more active”, “I get continued support from the extension staff”, “this program method was so convenient”, “I loved the recipe demonstrations”. 

As a follow-up to this program a participant contacted the FCS agent in falloff 2019 to thank her for her help.  The participant reported that as a result of this program she had lost over 50 pounds, her dr. had reported her blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels were drastically improved.  She accredited this program with her personal success – “This program gave me the courage, knowledge and skills to develop a more healthy lifestyle that has improved not only my health but also my personal self-image.  Thank you.”