›› Welcome to the Partnership for a Fit Kentucky
The Partnership for a Fit Kentucky is a public/private partnership which supports the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s CDC Obesity Prevention Grant. The focus is on promoting nutrition and physically active communities. This website is a clearinghouse of the Partnership for a Fit Kentucky’s initiatives. The intent is to link resources, network programs, provide tools that work, and strengthen partnerships in order to develop cutting edge initiatives.
›› Kentucky Obesity Epidemic 2004
In 2004 the Kentucky Obesity Epidemic report was released by the Department for Public Health. This report describes the burden of overweight and obesity in Kentucky and compares it with that for the nation. This information laid the groundwork to begin drafting a statewide plan to address the growing epidemic. See the full document for more information.
›› Development of Kentucky's Nutrition and Physical Activity State Action Plan 2005
In August 2004 the Partnership for a Fit Kentucky held nine regional obesity forums. Over 1300 participants gave their input on what their community currently was doing to combat obesity and what they would like to see in the future in the context of CDC’s six key strategies to prevent and control obesity:
- Increase fruit and vegetable consumption
- Increase breastfeeding initiation and duration
- Increase physical activity
- Reduce TV viewing time
- Increase parental involvement
- Other dietary concerns
Each community developed their top 5 priorities. The Partnership for a Fit Kentucky used the results of the forum to develop Kentucky’s Nutrition and Physical Activity State Action Plan. The strategies presented in the State Action Plan are intended to help create healthy environments. See the full document for more information.
›› Regional Coalitions
To implement Kentucky State Action Plan eleven regional coalitions were developed. Each regional coalition began by inviting community member to a strategic planning meeting. At the meeting the participants prioritized the strategies from the plan for their community. Regional coalitions continue to develop and implement their region's plan. See the coalition map and each regional coalitions page for more details.
In June 2007 the regional coordinators of the Partnership for a Fit Kentucky came together to network with the different regions. Together the coordinators developed this vision for the coalitions:
Regional coalitions involve community members with diverse backgrounds and are committed to the shared vision of increasing nutrition and physical activity through policy and environmental change. Each regional coalition has clear goals that they are working toward. They provide two-way communication to all of the counties in their region and connect back to the state Partnership for a Fit Kentucky. The coalitions strive to progress in making effective changes that will improve their communities’ health. They are seen as leaders whose work is a true community effort.
Contact your region's coordinator for more information.
The Partnership for a Fit Kentucky and the Governor’s Office of Wellness and Physical Activity Work Together to Build Healthy Communities
The Governor’s Office of Wellness and Physical Activity (GOWPA) and the Get Healthy Kentucky Program were established to implement a health, wellness, and fitness program for Kentucky and to promote a healthy lifestyle for all citizens of the Commonwealth. The role of the office is to be an umbrella organization that will focus on three pillars: tobacco control and prevention, physical activity and obesity prevention. Kentucky Department for Public Health’s Tobacco Control and Prevention Program, the Obesity Prevention Program and Physical Activity Program have been reassigned to GOWPA. This will enhance the expertise in three areas of concentration, avoid duplication of efforts and build upon existing strategies.
GOWPA complements and strengthens the work of the Partnership for a Fit Kentucky. By partnering with the existing efforts of the Partnership and pioneering new initiatives from GOWPA the Commonwealth of Kentucky will be positioned to build healthy communities and Kentuckians will reap the benefits. See Get Healthy Kentucky’s website: www.gethealthy.ky.gov
›› Partner Links
›› Website Resources