In Kentucky, 23.8% of youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity, giving Kentucky a ranking of 1 among the 50 states and D.C. according to The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (n.d.). Obesity Rate Among High School Students. https://stateofchildhoodobesity.org/high-school-obesity.  Overweight (body mass index >85th percentile for sex and age) and obese (body mass index >95th percentile for sex and age) in youth have emerged as a major health concern. One of the best ways to combat childhood obesity and its lifelong effects is to instill healthy eating habits by encouraging kids to help cook healthy meals. 

In an effort to inspire youth to gain cooking skills and increase fruit and vegetable intake the Kenton County Family and Consumer Sciences agent taught 58 high school special needs students from Scott High School  and 57 middle school youth (Tichenor M.S. in Elsmere) in eight sessions. The curriculum “Teen Cuisine” was used to educate the participants on proper handwashing, MyPlate, measuring basics, recipe reading, and knife skills. The youth practiced how to properly chop an apple, made salsa and Waldorf salad, after the agent demonstrated proper chopping and measuring techniques.  The hands on activity provided an opportunity for the agent to correct unsafe chopping techniques and allowed a fun and interactive exchange of ideas for new recipes and promoted healthy eating.  During the program youth were heard saying, “I didn’t think I would like that”, “I would like to make this recipe at home for my mom”, “I don’t like celery by itself so I didn’t think I would like it in the salad, BUT I do!” “Trying new food is fun when you get to help cook”

In a post class survey the following results were gathered:

100 % of the youth revealed they learned one or more knife skills

95% said they tried one or more new fruits or vegetables during the class

98% did not know the difference between a dry measuring cup and wet measuring cup prior to class.

77% where excited to practice one or more of cooking skills once they go home.

Following the programs the teachers revealed they would like to schedule additional cooking basics lessons in the upcoming school year.