Kentucky has the third-highest childhood obesity rate in the country and the seventh-highest rate in adult obesity, Trust for America’s Health’s “F as in Fat” report shows.   Sixty percent of Kentucky women and 80 percent of men living in the state are either overweight or obese.   Next to Mississippi, Kentucky youth drink the most soft drinks in the country – up to 89 gallons per person, according to information compiled from the USDA’s Food Environment Atlas.   Meanwhile, just 17 percent of Kentucky high school students reported eating fruit and vegetables five times per day, the amount recommended by the US Department of Agriculture.  In order to help decrease the prevalence of obesity in Shelby County, the Cooperative Extension Office has created a local nutrition program in order to educate students on healthier eating starting at a younger age.
 

 The Shelby County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent and the 4-H Assistant created and presented a nutrition program in 20 4-H clubs in the elementary schools. A total of 400 children from Shelby County participated in the 4-H school club nutrition program titled "Eat Right, Be Active Every Day!" in March 2022. Thirty days later 215 students completed a follow-up survey that revealed 56% of these students ate 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily, 84% of the group ate breakfast each morning to have energy for the day, 66% ate healthy snacks to get the nutrition they need each day, and 89% chose nutritious drinks such as water, milk, and 100% fruit juice.