Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Diabetes, overweight and obese adults and children, low household savings rates, and high household debt are increasing problems for society. To address these issues, "Small Steps to Health and Wealth," a series of eight weekly sessions, was offered by Trimble County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent. Topics included learning to monitor behavior, consumer protection, couponing, tasting new foods, and eating appropriate serving sizes. One month follow-up evaluations indicated that 65% of the participants tried new foods; 90% drink more water; 60% walk at least five days a week; 95% have become savvier shoppers. All said they were inspired and motivated to make small positive changes that made a difference.

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

Securing Financial Stability

In partnership with KHEAA, AARP, master gardeners, and the public library, Hopkins County offered multiple classes during Kentucky Saves week. Nine parents and students attended "Paying for College 101," hosted by the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent. One student learned of tuition savings of $2,614 per semester; all nine indicated the class helped them find resources to finance higher education. A safe driving class for residents age 55 and older was taught to decrease risk for accident. After completing the four-hour session, 22 participants were eligible for a potential insurance reduction of 5-10%. Using Extension curriculum, a couponing class taught participants to save money, with participants reporting weekly savings of $25 to $80.

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

Securing Financial Stability

Because families often fail to plan for later life and after death, the Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent partnered with law and financial professionals to sponsor three workshops that covered legal documents, social security, tax laws changes, health-care directives, estate planning tools, and long-term care. An evaluation of the fourteen participants at the conclusion of the program revealed: All participants (100%) reported gaining knowledge about financial planning tools. 100% discussed or planned to discuss legal issues with family members. 84% increased peace of mind and self-confidence, and felt prepared for end-of-life issues. 60% planned to organize records or have started to use the following legal tools: power of attorney, advance directives for health care, written will, trust, guardianship, and estate plan.

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

Nurturing Families

Prenatal and newborn healthcare was identified as a topic important to Union County residents. To address that, community partners developed the sixth "World's Greatest Baby Shower," a free, educational program that covered infant dental health, breastfeeding, and bathing a newborn. Sixteen expectant mothers, ages 15-40, attended. The educational event was sponsored by West Area Health and Education Center, Union and Henderson County Methodist Hospitals, Union County Schools, Green River District Health Department, USES Family Resource Center, Community Education, Cooperative Extension Service, and Union County Extension Homemakers. Exit evaluations showed that 96% of the participants learned new skills and received useful information to care for their newborns.

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

Empowering Community Leaders

Henry County Extension Homemakers held the 18th annual holiday bazaar, an outlet for local arts, crafts, and smallbusinesspeople. With 35 booths and a waiting list, thebazaar captures holiday dollars before they leave the county forthe malls of our neighbors. Nonprofits also have the opportunity raise funds, with seniors reporting the bazaar as the largestfund-raising opportunity. Through reports from participants,we estimate the bazaar keeps over $15,000 in shopping dollarsin the county. Participants said: "The holiday bazaar helps notonly the person renting the booth but the community as well.""It extends the farmers market season." "The crowd was goodand steady all day long with buyers, even in this crazy economy."

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

Securing Financial Stability

U.S. Dept. of Labor reports unemployment at 9.8% in Kentucky, which has forced many families to cut spending. To help extend family food budgets, Warren County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent taught "Couponing 101" 22 times to over 413 participants. Each class included meal planning, making a shopping and master shopping list, coupon etiquette, resources, coupon policies, and stockpiling. 81% reported learning to save time by planning; 88% now regularly use coupons. One participant created a coupon binder for her office. Agent partnered with local television station WBKO 13, an ABC affiliate, to conduct five segments that covered savings, and a webpage was created to share the program. The webpage featured a month-long contest, with collective savings of $2,016.

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

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Kentucky. Henderson County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, with Methodist Hospital, Green River District Health Department, and "The Gleaner" newspaper, hosted the second "Shades of Red," an event to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of heart disease in women. 140 participants listened to a local cardiologist and watched a fashion show featuring women affected by heart disease. Written evaluations of the event revealed 95% had been inspired to change health behaviors and planned to take better care of heart health. A survey taken one year later showed that 30% had changed exercise programs, 90% had regular checkups, and 70% had changed eating habits.

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

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Kentucky's rates of obesity are on the rise. "Weigh Down Washington County," a weight-loss program that encourages physical activity, has been presented for nine years to address this problem on a local level. Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, with assistance from area and local health departments, SNAP-Ed Assistant, and community education director promoted, organized, and developed the program. During this year's 8-week program, 55 people participated in the challenge. Financial and personal goals were used as incentives for weight loss during the program. At the end of the challenge, the group lost 415 pounds and eleven participants lost 7% of their body weight.

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

Accessing Nutritious Foods

In 2009 FCS Advisory Council identified hunger and food insecurity as a large problem in Hart County schools. To address this, the Feeding America: BackPack Program was implemented, with 160 schoolchildren participating in 2010-2011, an increase from 125 the previous year. Children "at risk for hunger" had food discreetly placed in their backpack each Friday. FCS was able to serve up to 125 children each week. School personnel noticed an improvement in the children's behavior, with less evidence of hunger. One wide-eyed child asked, "This is all for me?" One grateful parent reported she had gone back to work and would not need food any more. Another asked if she could pick up food for her four sick children.

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

Securing Financial Stability

Economic stress on family budgets has resulted in a need for many families to stretch income in new and creative ways. Using information from "Small Steps to Health and Wealth," Wayne County Extension offered classes to address financial strain on families and individuals. Classes covered budgeting, "needs" versus "wants," cooking, couponing, and green cleaning products. Many were amazed at the savings in making laundry detergent, fabric softener, and cleaners. Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, FCS Assistant and Nutrition Assistants collaborated to teach a local cooking school. Crockpot, food preservation, and food budgeting classes were among the classes taught. Families commented that the information helped them to stretch their food dollars and reduce unnecessary expenses.

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

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

One third of farm families, the unemployed, and those employed part-time have no health insurance. To help these individuals, local organizations, with the Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, sponsor the Community Health Fair to provide annual preventative health screenings. This years' event included 35 educational exhibits. 15 medical screenings and 7 physicians available for consultation. Of 485 registered participants, 401 had blood tests and 14 other screenings valued at over $1,200 per person. In the ten year history of the project cholesterol levels have decreased from 71% had elevated levels in 199 to 45% in 2011. Over the years individuals have credited the health fair with saving their life. Without this program many would not see a physician or participate in screenings.

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

Securing Financial Stability

According to U.S. Dept. of Labor statistics, unemployment in Kentucky is 10.4%. In 2009, Webster County's poverty rate was 17.1%. Because a major source of spending is food, "Couponing 101" was led by the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent to teach participants how to save money on groceries. With enrollment of 19, the class taught menu planning, using coupons and sales ads, and organization. 100% said they were going to start using coupons. Three months after the class, 80% regularly use coupons. 60% have saved more money since attending. Participants started a coupon exchange club, which meets every other Wednesday to exchange coupons and share information. One participant said it was exciting to see how much can be saved.

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

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Sixty-six percent of Whitley County residents are overweight and in danger of chronic diseases related to obesity, such as diabetes. Whitley County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent addressed the issues of physical inactivity and weight loss through a weekly series of weight management classes using "Weight: the Reality Series" curriculum. Forty-eight participants improved their knowledge of nutrition and increased their physical activity levels. 30 participants reported walking 30-60 minutes 3 to 5 times every week. Twenty-one participants reported serving more low-starch vegetables. 40 participants reported drinking 64 to 100 ounces of water every day. 48 participants reported a group weight loss of 1,641 pounds, with 36 participants losing 10% or more of their starting weight.

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

Accessing Nutritious Foods

Approximately 15.2% of Wolfe County residents are over the age of 65. As people age they may face nutrition and food affordability challenges due to financial and health-related changes. To help combat these issues, the Wolfe County Family Consumer Sciences Agent conducts monthly nutrition lessons at the local senior citizen center and has partnered with God's Pantry to provide boxes of food staples to local seniors. During the last 15 months 3687 food boxes have been distributed to seniors. The food distributed is estimated to be valued at $129,045. Seniors receiving the boxes each month also receive nutrition newsletters and healthy recipes. 100% of the older adults report that they have made changes in their daily lives to improve their health.

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

Accessing Nutritious Foods

In these tough economic times, with increasing prices of food and gas, more people are gardening and preserving their garden foods. Fifty-six individuals attended an evening workshop on food preservation taught by the Harlan County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent and Assistant. The participants learned proper and safe techniques for canning, freezing, and drying. The participants gained hands-on skills to better understand the principles behind the various food preservation techniques. Importance of following proper instructions to address the food safety issues for home food preservation was addressed. Relevant UK Extension publications were provided to all participants. 80% said that they learned the importance of proper canning procedures.

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

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Twenty-one percent of Woodford County adults are obese; 17% lack regular physical activity. In 2011, to address this issue the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent worked with the Director of Woodford County Schools Physical Education Program, health department, Huntertown/Southside Family Resource Center, and Woodford County Extension Homemakers to host a family meal and exercise night. Forty attended, with surveys showing that 80% strongly agreed or agreed that the cooking demo introduced a new food; 90% strongly agreed that the demo gave ideas to try at home; 90% sampled all three foods presented. All strongly agreed or agreed that they would make at least one of the recipes within the next four weeks.

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

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

The growing child obesity rate indicates that emphasizing healthy food choices is critical for the health of our youth. To address this need the Hardin County's Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Staff offered "SuperStar Chef Goes to Farmers Market Camp". This four-day camp, taught 21 children, ages 9 to 12, basic knife skills, food selection, hands-on cooking, and local food sources. The campers went to the local farmers market, where a scavenger hunt got them talking to farmers and vendors. When the kids were asked what they will use after camp, 42% said "knife skills," while 25% said "recipes." Vendors at the market said it was great to see kids eager to learn and try fruits and vegetables.

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

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

According to Trust for America's Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Kentucky has the seventh-highest obesity rate in the nation and the fourth-highest percentage of overweight youth. Hancock County's 2nd Sunday event raised awareness of the need for local infrastructure that promotes a healthy lifestyle. Incorporating Breast Cancer Awareness, the event urged participants to walk/run a 5k, with rewards for each lap completed. 155 people logged 489.5 miles. Eight participants were ages 65 and older, 87 adults ages 18-64, and 50 children. The event was led by Hancock County Cooperative Extension Service, in collaboration with Hancock County Community Education, Hancock County Partners Coalition, HC2, Family and Consumer Sciences Council, and Fiscal Court.

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

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Healthy eating and activity patterns are the foundation of good health. Green County Cooperative Extension Service taught "Literacy, Eating and Activity for Preschoolers" (LEAP) to county preschoolers monthly for 10 months. Over 128 preschoolers learned that a healthy lifestyle includes eating a variety of fruits and vegetables and being physically active. After LEAP, 90% were more likely to try a new fruit or vegetable; 80% were more likely to ask for a fruit or vegetable as a snack and to participate in physical activity; and 100% could name at least one or more health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. An educational newsletter was sent home with the children to encourage parents to set a good example with healthy lifestyle decisions.

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

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

With diabetes a leading cause of death and disability, Greenup County Extension Council identified health and wellness as a major program issue. A partnership between the county health department, Cooperative Extension Service, and Extension Homemaker Association Foods/Nutrition Chairpersons was developed to address this issue. A four-week session, "Dining with Diabetes," was conducted for an average of 30 diabetics and/or caregivers, to address everyday issues such as meal planning, food safety, cooking, making wise food choices, counting carbohydrates, and portion control. Food demonstrations and diabetic-friendly recipes were important components of the four-week session. Participants gained knowledge to use spices, control portions, read labels, and use sweeteners and nutrition oils in food preparation.

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