Obesity is a problem not only nationally but also in Leslie County. The obesity epidemic threatens the quality and years of life of Kentuckians. Obese individuals are at an increased risk for many chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancers. 2020 Kentucky Nutrition Education Program Annual Report data indicated that 41% of Leslie County’s adult population were considered obese. Also, according to 2019 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps 34% of the county’s population was considered physically inactive. Increased consumption of unhealthy food, stress, and built environments that promote physical inactivity are largely responsible for the obesity epidemic. According to the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, Leslie County ranks 111th out of Kentucky’s 120 counties regarding overall health.
To promote health and wellness for Leslie County Youth and Residents, Leslie County FCS Agent taught five My Plate Lessons using the UK Nutrition Education Program Curriculum, Professor Popcorn. 1st and 2nd graders, along with 2 FMD Units were targeted because they are young and still forming their eating habits. This curriculum helps young people develop into healthy adults by gaining an interest in eating healthy foods, using safe food-handling techniques, and making physical activity part of their lifestyle.
Specific goals are to provide nutrition and health information as well as the opportunity to practice new skills so that youth will be able to:
• Understand that good health is, in part, about the food and activity choices that they make daily.
• Choose and use foods for good health that are consistent with MyPlate and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
• Improve practices in food selection, safety, and preparation.
• Enjoy being physically active.
• Sample a variety of foods while understanding portions and to choose better snacks that fit within healthy guidelines.
Evaluation
A total of 252, participated in Exploring MyPlate. To measure the success of the program a pre and post Evaluation was conducted with each classroom.
First and Second Grades PRE-Evaluation findings were:
• 92% Recognized and Correctly Circled the Foods that are Healthy Snacks
• 88% Recognized and Correctly Circled when you should wash your hands
• 80% Recognized and Correctly Circled the pictures that show Physical Activity
• 78% Recognized and Correctly Circled the foods from the Vegetable Group
• 80% Recognized and Correctly Circled the foods from the Fruit Group
• 72% Recognized and Correctly Circled the foods from the Grains Group
• 74% Recognized and Correctly Circled the foods from the Dairy Group
• 72% Recognized and Correctly Circled the foods from the Protein Foods Group
• 90% Recognized and Circled that they Almost Always or Always have Vegetables to Eat
• 87% Recognized and Circled that they Almost Always or Always have Fruits to eat
First and Second Grades POST- Evaluation findings were:
• 98% Recognized and Correctly Circled the Foods that are Healthy Snacks
• 90% Recognized and Correctly Circled when you should wash your Hands
• 91% Recognized and Correctly circled the pictures that show Physical Activity
• 84% Recognized and Correctly Circled the Foods from the Vegetable Group
• 86% Recognized and Correctly Circled the foods from the Fruit Group
• 80% Recognized and Correctly Circled the Foods from the Grains Group
• 89% Recognized and Correctly Circled the foods from the Dairy Group
• 88% Recognized and Correctly Circled the foods from the Protein Foods Group
• 94% Recognized and Circled that they Almost Always or Always had Vegetables to Eat
• 88% Recognized and Circled that they Almost Always or Always had Fruits to eat
Leslie County Youth increased their chances of Health and Wellness by participation in Exploring My Plate with Professor PopCorn lessons and incorporating what they have learned!
|
