Children Learn the Importance of Being Physically Active 

According to the Center for Disease Control, the prevalence of obesity in Kentucky youth is 20.3% among 6 to 11-year-olds.   

Many students did not realize the term “physically active” or understood how they could be active to help decrease the chances of becoming obese or developing chronic diseases prevalent in this region of KY.    Many of these same students felt that playing games on their computers made them “physical active”.  

The Family Youth Resource Service Director for two elementary schools contacted the Boyd County Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Program Assistant Senior and expressed concern of students’ view of spending so much time in front of a computer/TV screen.  Talking through the situation, the SNAP-Ed Assistant and FYRS Director decided that children needed to learn as early as possible the importance of being physically active and why reducing screen time was necessary.  

The Organ Annie and The Organ Wise Guys programs were implemented in the pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and 1^st grade classrooms reaching 166 students.   The SNAP-Ed Assistant introduced the character, “Hardy Heart” to emphasize the importance of being physically active every day, and by doing so, our hearts stay strong.     Several fun physical activities were incorporated during each program; and children were encouraged to continue these activities at home and report back the next week.

By the end of the program, 68% of the students reported being more active.  One kindergarten student stated, “It is more fun to chase a frisbee in real life than try to chase one on my computer.”