According to a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, Kentucky is the least physically active state in the nation. The risk factors of poor nutrition and physical inactivity begin early in life.  The Bogalusa Heart Study indicated that children as young as 2 years old were already consuming a high-fat, high-sodium, and low-fiber diet.  Furthermore, the percentage of children and adolescents who are overweight has more than doubled in the past 30 years.

The Lawrence County Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program Assistant (EFNEP) contacted the Millard Elementary School Principal to establish a community partnership and to implement Literacy, Eating, and Activity for Primary (LEAP) with the students.  The EFNEP Assistant enrolled 38 students into the LEAP program.

The LEAP program consisted of a pre-assessment to learn of existing knowledge, followed by six lessons using storybooks and activities. All activities taught children about nutritious foods, healthy eating habits, hand washing, food safety and being physically active. In each lesson the students would listen to a storybook, participate in an activity and then be rewarded with a healthy snack pertaining to the story that was read. After each lesson, parents received a newsletter with tips for family health and fun nutritious recipes. Following a post-assessment. Behavioral improvements were as follows: 45% of students use safe food handling practices more often; 87% improved their abilities to choose foods according to Federal Dietary Recommendations; 45% improved in their responses by identifying healthy snacks; 42% improved in their responses by identifying dairy and 50% improved in their responses by identifying fruits.