›› Families & Communities
Healthy Eating and Physical Activity begin with our families and communities. Kentucky’s State Action Plan presents strategies to encourage Kentuckians to change their environments so that making healthier decisions about nutrition and physical activity will be easier. Providing an environment within the community that encourages breastfeeding, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and increasing physical activity is important for a healthier community. Below are several different promotions communities can take part in.
We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition) is a program designed by the National Institutes of Health for parents of 7-13 years old. We Can! provides parents with the knowledge, skills and support to help their children stay at a healthy weight by improving food choices, increasing physical activity and reducing screen time. A We Can! Parents Handbook and Leader’s Guidebook provide communities the tools they need to lead this series. (http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov) Trainings are available to become a KY We Can! leader are held across the state in locations that have at least 10 participants. Contact: Anita Courtney, We Can! State Coordinator, to sign up for a training anitac@qx.net.
VERB™ It’s what you do is a national, multicultural campaign that encourages tweens (9–13 year olds) to be physically active every day. The VERB campaign uses a combination of paid advertising, school and community promotions and the Internet to promote physical activity as cool, fun and a way to have a good time with friends.
Longest Day of Play - June 21 is the Summer Solstice, the official start of summer and the longest day of the year. To mark this special time, Kentucky communities are encouraging children and young teens to get on the move during the Summer Solstice -- The Longest Day of Play!
TV-Turnoff Week is a grassroots project that works. More than 65 national organizations, including the American Medical Association, the National Education Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, support or endorse TV-Turnoff Week. TV-Turnoff Week succeeds because our network of thousands works hard to organize local schools, clubs, religious congregations, and communities. The goal of the TV-Turnoff Week is to bring home the message to children and families that less screen time and more physical activity will lead to a healthier lifestyle. We are encouraging parents, schools and the community to develop events and programs that will energize children to turnoff the television or computer and get them involved in the activities that will help them better manage their lifestyles and health. For more information visit http://www.tvturnoff.org
Universal Screen Time Reduction Task Force
The Partnership for a Fit Kentucky is undertaking its second year for a universal screen time reduction campaign. A Kentucky Screen Time Reduction Task Force has been established with a variety of professionals such as dietitians, researchers, physical activity coordinators, and health departments. The goal is to reduce the amount of recreational electronic media usage which has been heavily linked with the obesity epidemic. Avenues of action include families, pre-schools, health professionals and communities. Contact Chirstos.Dimitriadis@ky.gov if you would like to be a part of Kentucky’s Screen Time Reduction Task Force.
Getting Kids Physically Active Training revolutionizes current physical education practices and promotes an environment where children and teachers are thriving and enjoying physical activity. This training makes physical activity fun! Learn fun games to play, how to get children of all skill level involved and how to deal with behavioral issues. It includes 30 minute presentation on behavioral issues and classroom instruction and 2 hour active participation where participants learn many new games and techniques. This training is for anyone who works with kids K -12. Contact Christos.Dimitriadis@ky.gov for more information.
Family meals are positively associated with improved dietary quality, prevention of overweight, enhanced language acquisition and academic performance, improved social skills and family unity, and a reduction in risk-taking behaviors.
EAT SMART KENTUCKY: Guidelines for Healthy Foods and Beverages at Meetings, Gatherings, and Events is a tool for anyone who is in charge of food-related events. Making simple changes to foods and drinks you offer at group and community events gives Kentuckians disease-fighting foods and the energy boost they may need without worrying about too many calories or too much unhealthy fat. The toolkit includes a sample healthy food policy that organizations/agencies or community groups where foods or beverages are served.