Increasing Healthy Habits in Ware County

Summary

Ware County residents are, on average, more obese and less active than those living in the rest of the state of Georgia. Healthy behavior habits, worldwide, have been thought to decrease since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Extension answered by redeveloping traditional programming, that is proven to increase health attitudes, to distribute via online formats.

Situation

According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF) County Health Rankings for 2019, Ware County ranks 157th (of 159) in the state of Georgia for overall health behaviors. RWJF cites that 34% of adults in Ware County are obese, and that 28% of adults are physically inactive. Obesity and inactivity can contribute to the development of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, diabetes, cancer and osteoarthritis. Since many people have been spending more time at home, due to restrictions from the nation-wide 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic, there has been much mention of potential and actual decrease in physical activity along with increase in bodyweight in people throughout the United States.

Response

Due to social distancing guidelines and the inability to meet with people face-to-face throughout most of 2020, the agent recreated traditional health and wellness programming to present via virtual formats, partnering with other agencies (including the Okefenokee Regional Library System, Unison Behavioral Health, and UGA Extension agents in Ware and other counties) in order to expand program reach. Programming included a monthly Yoga for Kids series; Wellness Series for Garden Gate Rehabilitation Center; Once Upon a Rainbow - an OKRLS Summer Reading Program nutrition series; Eat Healthy, Be Active – a childcare provider nutrition training series; Movement Monday series, and a Walk-a-Weigh Series. These free series addressed nutrition, physical activity, hydration, smarter food shopping, and other health and wellness topics that teach skills to adults and youth to adopt life-long good health habits. Lessons were taught through different formats: live streams were available through Zoom and Facebook Live, pre-recorded videos were shared on the county extension Facebook page, YouTube, and through an email listserv.

Impact

The opportunity to share through online platforms allowed not only a continued reach of health and wellness programming, but a significant increase in that reach. These virtual programs generated a combined reach of 10,395 individuals. This is a 91% increase from the number of participants from traditional health and wellness programming in the previous year. Remarks from participants: “What kept me coming back was the enthusiasm of the instructors and the ability to watch online if not able to join the Zoom session.” “The program has made me want to move more and be more active.“ “I am learning to eat right and I am doing my family the same way.”

State Issue

Health & Wellness

Details

• Year: 2020
• Geographic Scope: Multi-County
• County: Ware
• Location: College Station, Athens
• Program Areas:
  • 4-H Youth
  • Family and Consumer Sciences