Studies show childhood obesity is a major public health problem in today’s youth. A considerable amount of adult Kentuckian’s struggle with chronic diseases, many of these because of behavioral risk issues that begin at an early age.

To promote healthy habits in our community, The University of Kentucky Nutrition Education Program partnered with Hebron Lutheran Church’s Youth Ministry Group. Thirty preschool children attended the five-day summer program where children learned age-appropriate stories, songs, and nutrition lessons. Each day of the program a nutrition lesson was taught that corresponded to the theme and snack of the day. For example, one of the days of the program, the children’s lesson was about Manna and Quail. At snack time the Boone County Nutrition assistant taught the children about grains and protein using MyPlate. The sample snack that was incorporated into the lesson was whole wheat pita bread and baked chicken pieces. Additionally, nutrition information and newsletters were sent home daily to encourage the children to share what they learned and adopt some of these healthy choices at home with their families.

This collaboration was an innovative approach to help promote children to learn how to make healthy choices. Improving their intake of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, can aide in positive attitudes towards nutrition and help lower childhood obesity.