Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Statistics show that Kentucky ranks sixth in the nation for heart disease and that 41% of adults in Perry County have heart disease. To help prevent heart disease, the Perry County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, with a health department educator, planned and presented a heart-health awareness event in February, which 73 attended. Using the new dietary guidelines, the focus was on reducing sodium. Sodium content and serving size of common foods were examined. Survey statistics revealed that 95% retained and were using the information obtained from this program to make changes in the way they ate. With average yearly medical costs per individual with heart disease nearing $15,000, those 73 participants could realize a potential savings of over $1 million in medical costs.

To see the entire Building Strong Families county profile for Perry 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 Health Lifestyle choices

The American Heart Association recommends a heart-healthy diet to reduce heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Clark County Cooperative Extension Service collaborated with Freeman Corporation, Sekisusi S-Lec America, and East Kentucky Power Cooperative to sponsor "lunch and learn" sessions for over 125 employees that emphasized food purchasing, preparation, and recipe modification. At the conclusion, 82% reported using class recipes with modified sugar, salt, and fat, and adapting family recipes. 25% reported preparing more fruits and vegetables; and 50% prepared healthier cuts of meat. Also as a result of the programming, Cooperative Extension participates in health fairs for the whole family at these locations. One industrial site provides rewards to its employee HSA for attending lunch sessions.

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

Making Beneficial Lifestyle Choices in Martin County

The Kentucky Institute of Medicine has published a health-assessment summary outlining health risks for counties compared to state and national averages. While the study noted that Martin County has low rates for breast and colorectal cancer, it also highlighted problems such as cardiovascular-related deaths. Because cardiovascular health can be improved through lifestyle choices, a series of heart-healthy cooking classes was taught in the county. These classes were hands-on opportunities to make healthy meals and to learn how to alter favorite family recipes to decrease fat and cholesterol. Of responding participants, 93% stated that they plan to adopt ideas they saw in class. Many felt their diet needed a change so they took the initiative to participate.

To view the entire Building Strong Families Martin county profile, please click the link.

Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities in McLean County

McLean County is ranked the 85th healthiest county for overall health in 2010 by Health and Family Services Cabinet. According to Kentucky Heath Facts, in 2009 twenty-five people died from heart disease, four people died due to strokes, and three people died from colorectal cancer in the county. Because of these death rates, Cooperative Extension and community partners hosted three lunch-and-learn sessions during the spring to raise awareness of women’s heart disease, colorectal cancer, and stroke prevention. Go Red Luncheon–Women’s Heart Disease, Go Blue Colorectal Luncheon, and Stroke Awareness Luncheon had 115 total participants. One hundred percent of participants indicated they needed to take better care of themselves and 41% planned to be screened for colorectal cancer.

To view the entire Building Strong Families McLean county profile, please click the link.

Making Beneficial Lifestyle Choices in Jackson County

Some of Jackson County’s leading causes of death are heart disease and diabetes, with obesity a major factor for, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers. To combat this, the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent and Nutrition Education Program assistants offered weight-loss and physical activity programs including water aerobics and a walking workout. Sixty-two participants met with the FCS Agent and staff, receiving information on losing weight effectively, cooking in a low-fat manner, and exercising effectively. At the end of the 10-week program, all individuals had lost weight, ranging from .5% to 15%, with 12 meeting or exceeding their 9% weight-loss goals. Participants lost a total of 534.8 pounds and 89.5 inches from their waists.

To view the entire Building Strong Families Jackson county profile, please click the link.

Making Beneficial Lifestyle Choices in Hopkins County

Counties in the Pennyrile area have a higher-than-state-average incidence of death by heart disease and stroke, according to Kentucky vital statistics records, with cardiovascular disease (CVD) a leading cause of death each year. A series of cardiovascular health classes, were taught to 90 Extension Homemaker members by the Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences. Types of CVD, risk factors for CVD, common diagnostic tests, and heart-healthy food preparation techniques were discussed. Modifiable risk factors were emphasized, including blood pressure, cigarette smoking, obesity, alcohol intake, blood cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, Type II diabetes, diet, and stress. In a post survey, 95% of the participants stated they learned to choose foods low in saturated fat and high in soluble fiber.

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

Making Beneficial Lifestyle Choices in Graves County

The Family and Consumer Sciences Agent utilized a variety of UK curricula to address the high incidences in Graves County of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and sedentary lifestyles. Through a series of comprehensive, far-reaching sessions, the FCS agent shared the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles with over 1000 participating children, adults, and senior citizens in the county. The FCS agent used the Community Walk to raise awareness of health and wellness as well as to increase visibility and knowledge of Extension services. Participation in the Community Walk increases each year, supported by growing numbers of walkers, joggers, and community agencies that contribute door prizes and promote the Community Walk among associates and colleagues.

To view the entire Building Strong Families Graves county profile, please click the link.

Spotlight Series: Lewis County

Our continuing "Spotlight Series": Lewis

Cooperative Extension Service provides a range of educational programming and activities to support the well-being of Kentuckians. One good example is in Lewis County where the FCS agent partnered with the medical facility, Primary Plus, to provide an educational prevention event “Love Your Heart Day.” The event allowed women to have a free a heart health screening that included cholesterol (Total, LDL, & HDL), triglycerides, glucose, blood pressure, height, weight body fat percentage, and nutritional counseling. This event was attended by 43 women in the community. A local business hung red dresses in their windows for one week to symbolize heart health. The local visitor center also hung a banner during the month of February, which is National Heart Month, to help remind people of the message.

For more information about the needs of families in Lewis County and how UK Cooperative Extension is providing services, please click here to see the full Lewis County Family and Consumer Extension Profile