Author: Tracey Turner
Planning Unit: Owsley County CES
Major Program: LEAP
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
With today’s fast food generation, more than 1 in 4 children age 5 years old or older are enrolling in schools already overweight or obese. In a collaborative effort between the Owsley County Elementary School and the Owsley County extension office a nutrition program is being taught to help guide these children in the right direction to a healthier lifestyle. LEAP (Literacy, Eating and Activity for Preschool) is delivered to the Kindergarten classes in our county via the Senior nutrition assistant. Story books are read as well as allowing children to sample new snacks that are designed to encourage kids to try new nutritional foods.Along with just getting kids to try new foods they are also informed about the importance of good foods to their growing bodies. Not only do good foods help us with overall growth, it helps with brain development, boosts immunity, help to strengthen bones, muscles and also helps digestive functions which is very important to young children. Once the kids can see that changes that good eating can do to a growing little body they understand the importance of good nutrition. During the course of these lessons participants improved their diet quality by 70 percent as well as improving food safety knowledge by 78 percent. One student said that they wanted to take good care of their bodies so it would work well for years to come.
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