Winchester Weight Down

Being overweight is recognized as a risk factor for a number of serious health problems, including diabetes, hypertension, stroke, arthritis, and some forms of cancer. To help individuals lose weight, Clark County Cooperative Extension Service's Family and Consumer Sciences, along with Clark County Activity Coalition, conducted a 10-week physical activity/weight loss educational program called Winchester Weigh Down. The program encouraged individuals to lose 10 percent of their body weight and were asked to weigh-in each week. Results of the program include: 90 percent reported that they are more effective in monitoring their weight; 60 percent are including physical activity as part of their daily routine; and 80 percent are now consuming more fruits and vegetables on a regular basis. Collectively, the group lost 680 pounds.
To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Clark county, please click the link.

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

In Christian County, 24.4 percent of the adult population is obese, 31.2 percent gets little to no exercise, 31.7 percent have high blood pressure, and 9.6 percent have diabetes. In an effort to combat this situation, Christian County has organized a Healthy Communities Leadership Coalition. The coalition has developed a program called Hopdown the Pounds. Initially, 396 adults weighed in. During the eight weeks between weigh-ins, two healthy cooking classes, four nutrition classes, and eight exercise classes were offered by the various sponsors. Family and Consumer Sciences Extension offered multiple healthy cooking classes. There were 21 people who attended the first one and 26 the second one. On the final weigh in, 125 participants recorded a total 1,612 pounds lost or an average loss of 12.9 pounds.
To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Christian county, please click the link.

Food Preservation of Local Foods

The statistics are stark: 36 percent of Casey County children live in poverty and the county's median household income is $21,580. To increase residents' ability to maintain proper nutritional habits and budget food dollars, the Casey County Cooperative Extension Service's offered a Food Preservation Boot Camp. During the program, participants were encouraged to grow a garden or purchase fresh fruits and vegetables locally, and utilize proper food preservation methods. Afterward, according to one participant "Before I took this workshop, I was afraid to even try food preservation; the pressure canner really scared me. Now, I can do this! I'm not afraid anymore! I can't wait to can some more so my family can eat better. Thank you! You've changed the way we eat!"
To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Casey county, please click the link.

Taking Control of Diabetes

Carter County has one of the highest rates in the state for diabetes-related deaths located in the "Diabetes Belt" by the Centers of Disease Control. To address this issue, "Taking Control of Your Diabetes" series was offered by the Carter County Extension Service. The curriculum includes strategies such as goal setting and problem solving to empower individuals to manage their diabetes. The program was offered to the Diabetes Support Group members and to Kentucky HomePlace clientele. As a result of the program 100 percent reported they: comply with the diabetes regimen prescribed by their doctor; have accomplished at least one of the goals that they had set in the last month; are able to solve problems that come about in their daily life as they deal with diabetes.To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Carter county, please click the link.

Healthy Eating for Hispanic Families

The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that Hispanic children and adults have one of the highest risks for obesity. To be proactive, the Carroll County Cooperative Extension Service Family and Consumer Sciences agent has worked with ESL program interpreters to teach nutrition classes for young Hispanic families. This year the agent added a monthly Early Head Start nutrition program for young, Hispanic mothers with children under 3 years old. More than 190 parents and youth participated. Families were taught basic nutrition, selecting food in the supermarket, low-fat cooking, child nutrition, healthy snacks for children, and seasonal vegetables and the ripening process. A post-evaluation of participants revealed that the program increased the participants knowledge in most of these areas. 
To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Carroll county, please click the link.

Decreasing Falls in the Community

From 2003-2010, fall-related hospitalizations involving Carlisle County residents ages 65 and over resulted in 62.9 percent of those involved being discharged to a skilled nursing facility, according to the Kentucky Safety and Prevention Alignment Network. In response, Carlisle County Cooperative Extension Service, in partnership with the Carlisle County Senior Citizens Center, presented "Stand Up to Falling," a fall prevention program, to 28 older adults. As a result: 71 percent better understood how to reduce the risk of falling; 64 percent will make changes to their home environment to reduce the risk of falling; 64 percent will become more physically active to help reduce the risk of falling; and 67 percent know how to safely get up from a fall. 
To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Carlisle county, please click the link.

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Brighton Center for Employment Training (CET) provides students the opportunity to work toward self-sufficiency. The program relies heavily on the Campbell County Cooperative Extension Service to present classes that assist students with personal skills in nutrition, finances, and overall wellness. During the six-week "Small Steps to Health and Wealth" program, goals were set by the students, and action plans (e.g., food diaries, pedometer logs, and spending logs) were turned in after each class. This past year, 20 students successfully completed the program, with 100 percent completing a personal goal plan. Additionally, 95 percent of participants now get more exercise, and 90 percent are making healthier food choices. At the end of the program, three students said they quit smoking altogether and four said they had cut back. 
To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Campbell county, please click the link.

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Calloway County Nutrition Education Program Assistants teach nutrition education, food safety, and food security in the community. As a result of these efforts 382 youth were involved in nutrition education programs. Additionally, 54 limited resource families were taught how to serve more nutritious meals, to keep foods safe, and to utilize local food resources effectively; 100 percent of those families made an improvement in the nutritional quality of their diet; 44 percent of the families increased the frequency of moderate physical activity for 30 minutes per day; 47.5 percent of the families demonstrated an improvement in safe food handling practices and hand washing behavior; and 56 percent of families learned to plan meals ahead of time and use a grocery list to guide food selections. 
To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Calloway county, please click the link.

The Caldwell County Cooperative Extension Service's Nutrition Education Program paraprofessional taught 94 limited resource families how to serve more nutritious meals, to keep foods safe, and to utilize local food resources effectively. As a result: 91 percent of families made an improvement in the nutritional quality of their diet; 50 percent of program 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; 57 percent of families increased the frequency of moderate physical activity for 30 minutes per day; 60 percent of families demonstrated an improvement in safe food handling practices and hand washing behavior; and 43 percent of families learned to plan meals ahead. 
To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Caldwell county, please click the link.