Family & Community Health Issues
Food Safety: Ever wonder how long you can keep your food on the kitchen counter after cooking it or how/where to defrost your evening chicken or ground meat so that it’s safe for your family? If you have questions like this, a basic food safety class can address these issues. You will learn about foodborne illness, including what causes it and four simple steps to avoid it when purchasing, preparing, serving, and storing food. Individuals with weakened immune systems will also learn what foods to avoid. Find out the causes of foodborne illnesses, steps to keep food safe, and foods to avoid. Classes and program materials are free of charge.
Health and Wellness: The health of the family is key as we approach a new year. Not a day goes by that you don’t hear alarming statistics regarding the prevalence of diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and obesity. Research tells us that although there are risk factors for these health issues, many illnesses and diseases are preventable. Key factors include a lifestyle that promotes portion control, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and physical activity. For instance, did you know that diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and African American women are disproportionately affected? One in 10 African American women age 20 and older has diabetes and this rises to 1 in 4 among African American women age 55 and older. Classes offered by the Cooperative Extension Program, Prairie View A&M University focus on awareness and risk prevention of chronic illness and disease that plague some groups more than others. Educational materials and program incentives are FREE and available to groups of six or more. Classes can be conducted at your faith based institution, community center, or senior activity center.
4-H and Youth Development: Calling youth and adult leaders for 4-H and Youth Development programs offered by the Cooperative Extension Program, Prairie View A&M University. The Cooperative Extension Program develops youth leaders by giving young people, ages eight to nineteen, who have not had the opportunity to participate in traditional 4-H programs, a chance to enroll in 4-H clubs and become fully engaged in the second largest youth group in the U.S. This is our goal. Youth programs include robotics, after school programs, leadership and civic engagement, and special camping events when available. We are looking for committed youth and adult leaders to work with Travis County youth to meet this goal.
Childhood Obesity: Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. The percentage of children aged 6-11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 20% in 2008. In 2008, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese according to the Centers for Disease Control. Additionally, childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being. Immediate health effects: obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure; obese adolescents are more likely to have pre-diabetes; and children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem. Long-term health effects for children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese adults and an increased risk for various cancers. Child obesity workshops, program materials and incentives are free. Classes can be scheduled at your faith based institution or community center.
Links:
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Prairie View A & M Cooperative Extension Program on Facebook
Teens Get a Taste of Healthy Living at the 4-H Career Awareness and Youth Leadership Lab
Educational programs conducted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
The Texas A&M University System, the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the County Commissioners’ Court of Texas cooperating.
Persons with disabilities who plan to attend a meeting and who may need auxiliary aids or services are required to contact Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service-Travis County at 512-854-9600 ten working days prior to the meeting so appropriate arrangements can be made.
