Author: Emily DeWitt
Planning Unit: Family and Consumer Sciences
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
Obesity is a major public health challenge in Kentucky. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports over 36% of Kentucky adults live with obesity. Through the CDC’s High Obesity Program (HOP) project, land-grant institutions collaborate with Cooperative Extension Service (CES) to encourage healthy eating and active living to reduce rural obesity prevalence through policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) strategies. Martin County, located in the Appalachian region of the state, is the primary recipient of funding in Kentucky due to an adult obesity prevalence rate greater than 40%.
By implementing multiple community-driven strategies to enhance the food environment and create spaces for safe physical activity, the project has gained momentum over the last two and a half years. As a community-designed project, the team of state CES Specialists and Associates implement HOP strategies in partnership with the county’s CES office and a community health coalition comprised of community members, local elected officials, and non-profit representatives. While the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) affected most project efforts, the HOP team persevered with modified PSE strategies. For year 3 of the HOP project, efforts focused on:
These efforts will continue into year 4 of the project with the long-term outcomes supporting efforts to reduce obesity and decrease the risk of diet-related chronic diseases in this rural Appalachian community. Through collaborative efforts with the county health coalition, CES staff, local elected officials, and community partners, investigators will implement additional PSE strategies to increase access to local foods and create safe spaces for physical activity.
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