Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

With an obesity rate of 34% and an inactivity rate of 44% (County Health Ratings), Carter County adults risk developing serious diseases. Carter County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent and Little Sandy District Health Department offered "Weight: the Reality Series," a 10-week weight-loss program that taught tools and strategies for successful weight loss. Each week, a low-calorie, nutrient-dense dish was prepared, and weight-loss strategies and exercise were demonstrated. Of the ten participants completing the program, all lost weight and made a lifestyle change. All ten reported monitoring their weight at least weekly, exercising more, eating more fruits and vegetables, and developing a support system. Half reported that they continued to lose weight months after the program.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Carter county, please click the link.

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Kentucky's child obesity rate is double the national average, with the number of overweight children older than 11 among the highest in the U.S. To teach young parents how to provide healthy meals for their families, the Carroll County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent led a series of monthly nutrition classes. Parents learned to serve children healthy foods and be a role model of healthy behavior for their children. After attending, 90% feel more confident preparing a healthy meal; 65% learned new ways to prepare fresh vegetables; 74% learned to identify whole grain cereals and grains; 70 % started drinking milk or increasing use of milk; and 60% participated in preparing meals with their children.To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Carroll county, please click the link.

Nurturing Families

The Carlisle/Ballard County Drug Court seeks to break the cycle of substance abuse, addiction, and crime. At the request of the District Judge, the Family and Consumer Sciences Agents have taught life skills, including effective communication skills, anger management, personality assessment, fighting depression, time management, nutrition, weight management, fitness, consumer budgeting, and meal planning. These sessions average 20 adults. Since 1996, over 2,000 participants have graduated. Because of the focus on rehabilitation, Drug Court graduates are more likely to return to productive lives in which they are gainfully employed, pay child support, and meet other obligations. Statistics from Kentucky show that the local Drug Court program has reduced drug use and criminal behavior in local drug-addicted offenders.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Carlisle county, please click the link.

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Sixty-six percent of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese, with Kentucky ranked sixth for obesity and physical inactivity according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Students enrolled in Brighton Center for Employment Training live in poverty, are single parents, and face personal challenges that put their families at risk. Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agents taught "Small Steps to Health and Wealth", a weekly series about nutrition, exercise, and financial management to these adult students. The participants learned to track spending, keep a food diary, and monitor steps with a pedometer. Of the 20 students, 10 completed the required action steps and set a realistic lifestyle goal of either eating healthier, exercising more, or managing their money more effectively.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county Profile for Campbell county, please click the link.

Empowering Community Leaders

Basic life skills can help youth save money and increase their ability to become independent adults in the future. Clothing leaders and the Calloway County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent have taught "Learn to Sew" classes for ages 6 to 16. Participants learn to use a sewing machine and serger, repair clothing, and coordinate fabrics and thread. Final garments are completed for judging and the Fashion Revue. The number of volunteer clothing leaders supporting the program has increased from 9 to 23, resulting in $15,640 in volunteer time contributions. This year 91 youth registered for the program, 66 continued after registration, 30 completed their project and 26 participated in 4-H Fashion Revue.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Calloway county, please clinck the link.

Accessing Nutritious Foods

The Caldwell County EFNEP paraprofessional taught 77 limited resource families how to serve more nutritious meals, to keep foods safe, and to utilize local food resources effectively. 54% families made an improvement in the nutritional quality of their diet. 58.25% of EFNEP graduate families consumed a diet of higher quality because they planned meals using the food guide pyramid, considered healthy choices, and used the "Nutrition Facts" label. 87% of families demonstrated an improvement in safe food handling practices and hand washing behavior. 60% of families learned to plan meals ahead of time and use a grocery list to guide food selections. A 60% improvement was shown in the participants' ability to comparison shop for food.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Caldwell county, please click the link.

Securing Financial Stability

Reduced family budgets have resulted in increased food preservation, but safety remains paramount. To address this, the Butler County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent taught "Food Preservation 101." Freezing, water-bath and pressure-canning techniques, and money saving information were taught during two workshops. Dial gauges were tested free of charge. 100% of participants stated they were confident the information would help them save money, and that they could repeat the learned skills. Surveyed by phone, participants reported safely canning 976 quarts of produce and freezing 1,357 quarts. One stated, "I'm planning on getting back into this since grocery store pricing is outrageous!" Cooperative Extension answered questions, loaned canning equipment, and provided canning recipes.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Butler County, please click the link.

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Poor physical activity and nutrition contribute to chronic disease, a leading cause of death in Kentucky. To address this, Bullitt County Extension Service partnered with city officials, schools, and community organizations to teach nutrition, establish the Mt. Washington Farmers Market, and begin programming for parents and children at two high-risk elementary schools. "Making Family Meals with More Fruits and Veggies" was taught to 79 adults and children. 75% of the parents reported they could prepare more vegetables at home. 80% of the children recognized the value of consuming more fruits and vegetables. The Farmer's Market has provided access to nutritious locally grown produce to over 1700 residents and contributed over $5000 income to local producers within the past year.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Bullitt County, please click the link.

Securing Financial Stability

Kentucky's unemployment rate is 9.8%, according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor. The reality of this economic indicator is that local people are concerned about rising prices and stability of family income. Slashing grocery bills is one strategy that has helped Breckinridge County families. Couponing 101 was taught by the Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent five times to over 130 people. Meal planning, shopping lists, coupon etiquette, resources, coupon policies, and stock piling were covered. Before the class, 88% used coupons, with 47% using them occasionally and 40% planning shopping according to coupon use. After the class, participants reported decreasing their food costs from 10 to 80% as a result of the skills they developed.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Breckinridge County, Please click the link.

Accessing Nutritious Foods

In Breathitt County, many people could reduce food costs by growing their own produce in small spaces or buying locally grown foods. To encourage this, a demonstration garden was planted at the Breathitt County Extension Office, supported by grant funds from the Brushy Fork Institute and over 150 volunteer hours, which showcased raised beds and container gardens. Food from the gardens has been used for Senior Citizens' Center meals. To broaden the reach of the project, a lesson, "Eating Close to Home," was taught in eight counties surrounding Breathitt. Of the 68 people who attended, only 16% produced a significant amount of their own food or made an effort to obtain it locally. 98% intended to increase the amount of food they obtained locally.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Breathitt County, please click the link.

Securing Financial Stability

In these tough economic times it has become a necessity to stretch family food dollars. The Bracken County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent taught lessons in ten counties to promote wise use of coupons and menu planning. The classes reached 195 participants. A local coupon exchange club was started, which taught how to plan meals using sale items, find coupons online, and reduce food bills. In the 12-week follow-up, positive comments were received: "Couponing keeps me in my budget." "I use grocery savings to purchase better quality meats that I normally could not afford." Consumers reported savings as much as 100% on their food costs and up to $40 in one trip.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Bracken County, please click the link.

Accessing Nutritious Foods

According to The National Gardening Association, 48% of consumers garden to ensure access to a safe food supply. To offer families information on nutrition and food safety, Boyle County Family and Consumer Sciences agent offered a series of food preservation classes to Boyle, Lincoln, and Hardin counties. The agent taught freezing, boiling-water canning methods, and pickling. Participants went through the entire process of freezing or canning and left with a finished product. Before the class, 40% had "poor" knowledge and 40% had "fair" knowledge of food preservation. After, 100% had "excellent" knowledge of canning and freezing. 90% of participants believe that learning this skill would allow them to save money; 100% of participants believe it will save time.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Boyle County, please click the link.