Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Sherry Ragsdale
Major Program: LEAP
According to the State of Obesity, 25.5% of Kentucky's youth, ages 10-17, are obese. To teach youth healthier choices, the Oldham County Nutrition Education Program assistant Senior partnered with the Physical Education teacher at Lagrange Elementary School to teach the Literacy, Eating, and Activity Preschool/Primary curriculum to all 3rd grades. LEAP uses storybooks and activities to teach children about nutritious foods, healthy eating habits, handwashing, food safety, and bei
Author: Sonya Carter
Major Program: LEAP
According to the State of Childhood Obesity, Kentucky’s children between the ages of 10-17 have the next to highest obesity rate in nation with the obesity rate of 25.5%. According to www.countyhealthrankings.org Hart County adults have an obesity rate of 41%. The Hart County Extension Family Consumer Science Agent partnered with Hart County School’s Family Resource Youth Service Center Coordinators to provide the Literacy, Eating and Activity for Primary (LEAP) lessons in all five e
Author: Margie Hernandez
Major Program: LEAP
Poor nutrition and physical inactivity are tied to obesity. A study conducted by the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) found that in 2017-2020, 12. 7% of children ages 2 to 5 were obese. Obesity rates for children ages 6 to 11 were even higher at 20. 7%. Obesity has been shown to contribute to major health issues including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, low self-esteem, negative body image and depression in children. With the goal of educating Pulaski County youth on he
Author: Christa O'Cull
Major Program: LEAP
The problem - Young children are often reluctant to try a new food. It might not have the same color, shape, or texture of a food common to them. We introduced pumpkin in different forms to 5 Headstart classrooms (4 year olds). The educational program response - Our Staff Assistant went with me to the classrooms and we shared reading the book The Biggest Pumpkin Ever to each class. We drew out different details that the book introduced and asked pertinent questions that 4
Author: Lynn Blankenship
Major Program: LEAP
In the Mammoth Cave Area, the incidence rates for adult and youth overweight and obesity are above the national average. Studies have shown that youth and adults are more likely to try healthy foods when presented with a fun, participatory group activity like the LEAPS program. Literacy Eating and Activity for Youth is offered by Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agents, in 7 Mammoth Cave Area Counties including Barren, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson and Warren. D
Author: Rachel Hance
Major Program: LEAP
According to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Kentucky has one of the highest prevalence for pediatric obesity in the nation. Approximately 37% of Kentucky children ages 10-17 years are considered overweight or obese according to BMI-for-age standards. Half of Kentucky’s children in poor families are overweight or obese. In the Mammoth Cave Area, the incidence rates for adult and youth overweight and obesity, are above the national average. Studies have shown tha
Author: Stephanie Hestand
Major Program: LEAP
In Kentucky, the State of Childhood Obesity website reports that 24 percent of the school age youth between the ages of ten and seventeen have obesity. The Monroe County Cooperative Extension Office is offering the program Literacy, Eating, and Activity for Primary Lessons (LEAP) to after school programs in the Monroe County School District. This program will teach young school age youth healthy snack choices that include both fruits and vegetables to add to their daily diets that will con
Author: Megan Gullett
Major Program: LEAP
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) one of the best ways to help prevent the spread of illnesses, such as COVID-19 and the flu, is to wash your hands frequently, especially when in public spaces. The Russell County Public School system, Active Day, and Head Start programs in Russell County are areas of public space that have a high concentration of vulnerable audiences that may be more prone to the spreading of illness, which can have devasting consequences.The Russell County FCS
Author: Alexandra Sallie
Major Program: LEAP
The problemChildren need daily fruits and vegetables to support healthy growth. Yet, in 2021, National Survey of Children's Health shows that nearly 1 out of every 2 children aged 1-5 years old who live in Kentucky do not eat a fruit and/or vegetable every day. The educational program responseThe Bath County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with the Gateway District Headstart Program-Owingsville Office to provide LEAP (Literacy, Eating, and Activity for Preschoolers) program. Bo
Author: Abbigale Gray
Major Program: LEAP
The L.E.A.P program, in partnership with the local school, preschool, and head start, has made a significant impact on approximately 195 children by promoting healthy life habits. Through engaging activities such as reading fun books, providing nutritious snacks, and incorporating exercise games, the program aims to educate and empower children. With four visits completed out of the six planned, the children have shown enthusiasm and enjoyment in participating. The program has successfully foste
Author: Rebecca Miller
Major Program: LEAP
With obesity and poor oral health issues on the rise in 2023, more educators in Bell County sought out ways to help make the children in their classrooms healthy and safe. By using the LEAP (Literacy, Eating and Activity for the Primary) curriculum the Bell County Extension Office along with Family Resource Centers, Partners for Rural Impact and several school teachers, we were able to reach 549 students in Pre-K through 3rd grade with educational information concerning these
Author: Nancy Doyle
Major Program: LEAP
In the Mammoth Cave Area, the incidence rates for adult and youth overweight and obesity, are above the national average. Studies have shown that youth and adults are more likely to try healthy foods when presented with a fun, participatory group activity like the LEAP program. Literacy Eating and Activity for Youth is offered by Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agents, in 7 Mammoth Cave Area Counties including Barren, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson and Warren.During th
Author: Sherry Ragsdale
Major Program: LEAP
Today, children struggle with good nutrition habits and not getting enough physical activity. Studies show that creating healthy habits at an early age can benefit people throughout their lifetime. The Oldham County Nutrition Education Program Senior Assistant partnered with Lagrange Elementary School to provide the Literacy, Eating, and Activity Nutrition Program (LEAP). The LEAP nutrition educational series is designed to help youth learn healthy habits at a young age. &
Author: Kelsee Dewees
Major Program: LEAP
According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a person should consume fruits and vegetables daily as part of a healthy eating pattern to reduce their risk for chronic diseases such as, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and obesity. According to the CDC, children are eating more fruit, but their fruit and vegetable intake is still too low. Recommendations by the USDA range from 1-2 cups for fruits and 1-3 cups for vegetables. In Knox County, Kentucky, the
Author: Susan Riggs
Major Program: LEAP
As per the Centers for Disease Control, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 91.1% of adults in Kentucky are not consuming two or more fruits and three or more vegetables daily. Fortunately, there are strategies that can help increase these habits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends creating healthy habits young by supporting farm to institution programs in schools and enhancing access to stores and markets that sell fruits and vegetables, such as farmers&
Author: Shannon Smith
Major Program: LEAP
The LEAP Literacy Eating Activity Pre-school (LEAP) program has made a significant impact on the dietary habits of young children in Bracken County. Implemented by Shannon, who has passionately taught the program seven times a month, LEAP reaches over 140 students each month throughout the nine-month school year, totaling over 1,260 student interactions annually. Young children often are hesitant to trying new foods. By offering this program we hope to change that. Designed for
Author: Natalie Green
Major Program: LEAP
Nutrition, physical activity and Ag literacy were identified by the Webster County Extension Council as top priority educational needs in Webster County. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, adolescents ages 6-17 need to get sixty minutes of moderate physical activity every day to prevent poor lifestyle habits that can lead to health problems later in life. Youth are eating less than the recommended daily amounts of fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, youth and fa
Author: Vicki Shadrick
Major Program: LEAP
Nutrition, physical activity and ag literacy were identified by the Webster County Extension Council as top priority educational needs in Webster County. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, adolescent’s ages 6-17 need to get sixty minutes of moderate physical activity every day to prevent poor lifestyle habits that can lead to health problems later in life. Youth are eating less than the recommended daily amounts of fruits and vegetables. Unfortu
Author: Kate Thompson
Major Program: LEAP
Kentucky has one of the highest rates of childhood obesity. Children are not eating enough fruits and vegetables (National Library of Medicine, 2023). The risk factors of poor nutrition and physical inactivity associated with cardiovascular disease begin early in life (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004). Therefore, educational programs which address the importance of healthy nutrition and increased physical activity are needed. The Campbell County Extension Ser
