These posts are in relation to Senate Bill 17:
Unhealthy diet and physical inactivity are strong contributing factors to illness and debility. Patterns of diet and activity are often learned and continued in the home with family. In order to help prevent childhood obesity, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Services in Perry, Harrison, Scott, Fayette, and Carroll counties are engaging with families to increase physical activity and nutritional health.
In Perry County, Extension Service partnered with the KY River District Health Department to have a “Family Fun Day” to educate parents, increase physical activity within the family, and decrease the likelihood of childhood obesity.
Activities included:
Sack races
Jump rope
Hula hoops
Frisbees
Hopscotch
Basketball toss
Dancing
120 participants learned that:
Increasing physical activity can be fun
Spending time with children is important
Increased physical activity can lead to decreased weight
Healthy snacks promote overall good health
In Harrison County, Extension Family and Consumer Services partnered with other community leaders to sponsor their fifth annual 1 mile walk in conjunction with the adult 5 k run to encourage those who do not run to be active. Additionally, the activity encouraged life-long habits of physical activity for all ages. The event provided an opportunity for families to participate in this physical activity together.
- 120 adults and 95 youth completed the 1 mile course to receive their metal award necklace.
- Media coverage of the event helped to increase community awareness about the importance of physical activity.
- One parent said “This is an event our whole family does together. I’m glad they made it later this year so dad can now walk with us too.”
In Scott County, Cooperative Extension partnered with WEDCO, District Health Department, and the Scott County Public School System to conduct a family nutrition and physical activity seminar for families in the Stamping Ground Community.
- The program consists of four sessions.
- 14 families enrolled with a total of 50 participants.
- By educating parents, the program hopes to influence the nutritional choices and physical activity of children.
Elementary school age students and parents jump to health! In Fayette County, Cooperative Extension collaborated with UK College of Medicine and LFUCG Health Department to present the “Jumpin Jaguar” program.
- Partnership identified 50 highest BMIs in limited resource school (indicator of health risk).
- Program developed with emphasis on physical activity, nutrition and asthmatic diagnosis.
- Parent workshops were provided to educate and reinforce the need for parental involvement and oversight. 100% of parents reported knowledge gained.
Young Parents Love It! - Parents of Head-Start students in Carroll County have met bi-monthly for the past 4 months to learn about healthy meals, nutrition, food, and exercise. These parents are concerned about their children’s weight, the prevalence of obesity in children, and the cost of eating out instead of eating home-cooked meals.
- So far, twelve parents have learned to plan and prepare simple, healthy meals that children love.
- More parents have joined the group since it began.
- Children are asking for meals and foods that parents learned to prepare.
- Parents have commented that they are now spending more time with their children and the outdoor time spent together is an easy way to exercise.
Parents are concerned about the welfare of their children, and obesity is a significant health concern for our nation and our commonwealth. Providing healthy guidance to young parents and children may be an important step towards dramatically altering the health care future of Kentuckians.
