According to the Center for Disease Control, the prevalence of obesity in Kentucky youth was  20.3% among 6- to 11-year-olds.   

The Director of an after-school program observed the students spending the majority of their time on computers.  Several parents admitted to allowing their children to spend time watching TV and using the TV as a “babysitter”.

The Boyd County Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Assistant was contacted by the Director expressing concern over the poor physical health of the students.   The SNAP-Ed Assistant partnered with the after-school program teaching classes using PROFESSOR POPCORN curriculum, with an emphasis on physical activity.  

Sixteen students involved in the program used stethoscopes to listen to their heartbeat prior to and after running down the hallway several times.  The students were given a blank “MyPlate” handout and went on a scavenger hunt throughout the school to find the color pieces of the five food groups.    Their favorite activity was a large plastic mat of  “MyPlate” and playing MyPlate Pretzel (a game similar to Twister).   

The SNAP -Ed Assistant also sent home jump ropes, frisbees,  and mini footballs to encourage the children’s parents to also get moving and doing physical activities.

At the end of the classes with the students, there was a 61% positive change in students getting more physical activity in their day.  One young boy made the comment that “physical activity was a lot more fun than exercising!”