According to 2017 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, the obesity rate for children ages 9-12 in Kentucky is 20.2%. The Daviess County Extension Council has identified childhood obesity as an important health issue facing their community. Recent research has indicated that teaching cooking skills to children encourages healthier food choices, which can lower obesity rates. In an effort to address this problem, this summer the Daviess County 4-H and Family Consumer Sciences Extension Agents presented SuperStar Chef at the Daviess County Extension Office. This three-day camp for children aged 9-12 is designed to teach kitchen safety, food safety, nutrition concepts, and physical activity. In addition, the children practiced food preparation skills with supervision.

Ten children (5 males, 5 females) completed the pretest and posttest to examine the impact of the program on their nutrition knowledge and cooking self-efficacy. Overall, pre/post comparisons of participants responses to the assessment instrument showed that the program enhanced participants understanding of the nutrition concepts covered in the program. 

Following the program, 100% said they plan to try new foods, 75% said they plan to eat more vegetables, 90% said they plan to eat more fruits and plan to be more physically active. 100% plan to drink less soda and to drink more water everyday. Their confidence in cooking skills are improved with 90% feeling confident they can help make family meals, use a recipe with confidence, measure correctly and use a knife correctly.