Spotlight Series: Barren County

Our continuing "Spotlight Series": Barren

Cooperative Extension Service provides a range of educational programing and activities to support the well-being of Kentuckians. One good example is Barren County where a new community auditorium, funded by Cooperative Extension, was completed in March 2008. Seating capacity is approximately 110 people (with lecture tables) to 160 (theatre). Technology with state-of-the-art audio and video equipment within the facility makes it a good environment for teaching and yet it has the flexibility to hold other Extension programming. Other amenities for community use and outreach include a large stage and demonstration kitchen. The facility will serve as an Emergency Operations Center for the community Emergency Management Agency if and when needed.

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

Spotlight Series: Ballard County

Our continuing "Spotlight Series": Ballard

Cooperative Extension Service provides a range of educational programing and activities to support the well-being of Kentuckians. One good example is in Ballard County where various activities were organized to educate the community as to the importance of their food choices. A workshop for Senior Citizen program participants, led by the FCS agent, discussed healthy food choices for their life stage, food safety, and ways to increase physical activity to prevent chronic disease. A booth at a health fair distributed literature on healthy food choices and provided participants sample smart snack choices. The Health Department's Cervical Cancer screening clinic participants were given literature on nutrition and tasted healthy snacks prepared using recipes from the Nutrition Education Program.

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

Spotlight Series: Anderson County

Our continuing "Spotlight Series": Anderson

Cooperative Extension Service provides a range of educational programing and activities to support the well-being of Kentuckians. One good example is Anderson County where a program was developed and taught by the Family and Consumer Sciences agent to twelve families in the county called "Dollars and Sense for Women." The program emphasized calculating assets, managing credit, reducing debt, and record keeping. Participants indicate they now track daily spending habits, prepare a monthly spending plan or budget, identify ways to decrease spending, increase income, and use budgeting tools that will help them manage their money.

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

Spotlight Series: Allen County

Our continuing "Spotlight Series": Allen

Cooperative Extension Service provides a range of educational programing and activities to support the well-being of Kentuckians. One good example is in Allen County where members of the “Get Moving, Allen County” coalition, led by the FCS agent, implemented the national “Mileage Club” youth physical activity program in the Allen County Primary School curriculum in an effort to encourage more physical activity. The pilot program included 150 children walking an average of 20 miles each over an eight week timeframe. Individuals were recognized with tokens, cash gifts, certificates, and other prizes. The Mileage Club program will be expanded in the next school year and will include additional activity opportunities and a target of 300 participants.

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

Spotlight Series: Adair County

Our continuing "Spotlight Series": Adair

Cooperative Extension Service provides a range of educational programing and activities to support the well-being of Kentuckians. One good example is in Adair County where they collaborated with local agencies to hold a community baby shower focusing on infant health, safety, and environment during pregnancy through six months of age. Almost forty people, all with limited resources, attended the program. Participants received information on gestational diabetes, poison prevention, the importance of reading to your child, and children’s environmental health issues. Parents received $115.00 worth of home safety devices and child care materials in an effort to improve the health and well-being of their child(ren).

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

UK Extension helping to fight diabetes in teens through innovative physical activities and community action

This post is in relation to Senate Bill 17

Diabetes can be an extremely debilitating disease. Working to increase physical activity and establishing healthy habits in youth may provide important steps towards preventing the rates and onset of diabetes. In Pike County, UK Cooperative Extension Service is utilizing innovative techniques to engage with teens to help increase physical activity.

Here are some highlights of their activities:

Pike County Diabetes partnership is a made up of local businesses and other individuals working to improve health

• The partnership has purchased games such as Dance Dance Revolution to be placed in all county libraries. Competitions are held at each library for teens.
• Walking trails have been developed in town to promote physical activity.
• Diabetes cooking schools and educational presentations are held throughout the county.
• Individuals have reported improved blood sugar control and weight loss.

Weight the Reality - partnership with local YMCA

• 10 week program meeting at Pikeville, KY YMCA.
• For 5 weeks, the group will have time to participate in physical activity during class.
• Every other week a trainer will work with the group.
• If they attend weekly meetings, participants will get a pass for the last 5 weeks of the program to attend the YMCA.
• This class promotes physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

The connection between physical activity and student performance

This post is in relation to Senate Bill 17

There have been a number studies whose purpose is to determine if there is a connection between physical activity and student performance. The goal of many of these studies was to determine if increases in physical activity positively impact academic performance. A recent published literature review examined the available research to determine if there were consistent results across studies.

Review results:

• There was a consistent trend throughout the majority of studies that showed some short-term improvements in areas such as concentration.
• Long-term improvements could not be well substantiated.
• More research is recommended in order to determine if there are long-term academic benefits to increased physical activity.
  

This review offers important insight into the academic benefits of increased physical activity. At the very least, there are some likely short-term improvements. However, more research is needed in order to determine if there are long-term benefits, as well.