In 2018, Floyd County was ranked 112th in health outcomes and 108th in health factors out of the 120 counties in the state of Kentucky. According to the Kentucky Health facts, 36% of Floyd County adults claimed to be in less than good health making it 13% higher than the state average. In efforts to increase health awareness and overall health of the county, the Floyd County Family & Consumer Sciences program developed the online program, “Floyd County Winter Health Challenge.”

                The “Floyd County Winter Health Challenge” was a four week online program in a private group on Facebook in January 2020. The Family & Consumer Science Agent utilized the Making Healthy Choices curriculum, Weight the Reality Series, Nutrition Education Program, and various Family & Consumer Sciences recourses. These resources were adapted it into an online program. Each week, the Floyd County Family & Consumer Science Agent went “live” to do a weekly lesson. The participants were able to watch the videos live or whenever it was most convenient for them. Publications, informational releases, Plate it Up! KY Proud recipes, and Nutrition Education Program recipes were posted each week for the participants to read. This kept the participants involved and focused throughout the week.

                This program has been completed annually for three consecutive years. Some participants have partaken this program since the very first one in 2017. There have been a total of 52 individuals participate the past three years and 7 individuals who have participated in at least two challenges.

Participants completed a qualtrics survey and commented in the group based on the things that they had learned. The surveys indicated that 90-100% of the participants distinguished an excellent understanding of mindful eating, ways to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their diet based off their knowledge they learned from myplate, make better overall drink choices, and make overall better food choices. Participants also stated:

• “I am making better choices like drinking more water and making better food choices”
• “I am more aware of what I am eating”
•  “I am implementing some of these into my plan. Especially increasing fruits & veggies and mindful eating”
• “I am working on adding more color to my plate with veggies.”
• “Thank you for using terminology that I could understand. Great info on eating a well balanced meal!”
• “My goal is to eat more veggies this week!”
• “Great info. My plan is to add a fruit or veggie in each meal. I don’t get as many as I should”
• “Eating healthy doesn’t have to cost more. Look for different brands and shop for fewer meals at a time to avoid waste and lower cost.”
• “We have been eating out less and cooking more at home. I’m to the point now where fast food just doesn’t taste good. I’d rather have home cooked meals.”