Listening to the Communities We Serve - Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky

Fitness and Nutrition for Children and Families

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky conducted a series of workshops throughout the state to better understand the priority healthcare concerns of the Commonwealth.  Nutrition and fitness for children and families were top concerns expressed in these workshops.

Facts
  • Kentucky ranked 6th in the U.S. in highest rate of adult obesity at 25.3%1 
  • 16% of Kentucky high school students are overweight2

  • 75% of Kentucky high school students did not attend physical education classes2

  • Most obese children have at least one other major risk factor for cardiovascular disease3

  • For children and adolescents nationwide, obesity is more common in African Americans and Hispanics4

  • Nationwide, obese adults under age 65 have annual medical expenses that are 36% higher than those of normal weight people4
  • On average nationwide, children ages 11–18 eat at fast food restaurants twice a week4


Leading Organizations

American Heart Associationprovides resources for Children’s Health& Healthy Lifestyle

The former Lieutenant Governor’s Task Force on Childhood Nutrition and Fitnessprovides information about food sales, nutrition standards, and physical activity in schools in the report, “Kentucky’s Children at Risk: the War on Weight.”

National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity- advocates national policies and programs to promote healthy eating and physical activity to help reduce the illnesses, disabilities, premature deaths, and costs.

Kentucky Action for Healthy Kids has worked to improve food choices in schools and vending machines, promote curriculum based nutrition education and increase physical activity; a resource for professionals, teachers, and advocates.

Kentucky Department of Education’s Coordinated School Health provides resources on PE, nutrition, policy, and community & family involvement.

Partnership for a Fit Kentucky is a public/private partnership which promotes nutrition and physical activity for communities.

Active Living Network works to eliminate sedentary family lifestyles that lead to obesity and disease in Kentucky.  The HealthySchools for Healthy Kids study and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundationprovide more information on childhood obesity and other programs.

Useful Links

Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky: Initiatives

In 2004, the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky launched its Coordinated School Health Initiative and since has provided 27 schools/school districts funding to develop and implement a Coordinated School Health Program and has sponsored or co-sponsored an Annual CSH Institute for schools interested in starting their own CSH programs. The Foundation continues to collect data about the progress of CSH grantee schools through its partnership with the Center for Prevention Research at the University of Kentucky.  To receive information about the next CSH Institute or advocacy initiatives to promote CSH, please write to Joan Buchar, CHES, MPH at jbuchar@healthy-ky.org   


References

1 Trust for America’s Health, 2005

2The Obesity Epidemic and Kentucky Students, CDC, 2004

3American Heart Association & Alliance for a Healthier Generation, 2008

4 A Nation at Risk: Obesity in the United States