Success StoryNutrition in the Classroom



Nutrition in the Classroom

Author: Emily Matthews

Planning Unit: Barren County CES

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

Outcome: Initial Outcome

According to the center for disease control a study of 432,302 children showed that the body mass index

of children ages 2 to 19 nearly doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic

access to children for direct education was challenging, as school districts began allowing visitors to

enter school building and classrooms the Barren County Nutrition Education Program assistant set out

to teach nutrition face to face. A partnership with the Caverns Independent School District and Family

Resource brought the Barren County Nutrition Education Program Assistant to teach 6 hours of direct

nutrition education for kindergarten through 3rd Grade at Caverna Elementary School.

By utilizing Organwise Guys, Literacy Eating and Activity Program (LEAP) as well as Discover MyPlate 83%

of children kindergarten through 2nd and 92% of children in 3rd grade improved in 1 or more knowledge

or skill(s) necessary to choose foods consistent with the federal dietary guideline recommendations.






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