According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014), children eat fewer fruits and vegetables than the daily recommended amounts.  Poor nutrition and physical inactivity have been linked to obesity (Hill, 2006: Slyper, 2004; Stubbs and Lee, 2004). Obesity is a major health risk that is tied to problems such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, elevated blood cholesterol levels, low self-esteem, negative body image and depression in children (American Heart Association, 2016).  

In LaRue County specifically, between 18-23% of children are living in households that lack access to enough food for healthy living or unreliable availability to nutritionally adequate foods (https://datacenter.kidscount.org/).  Young children need help to develop lifelong healthy eating and physical activity habits.   In an effort to combat this rising issue among children in LaRue County, the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent offered the Literacy, Eating, Activity for Preschool/Primary (LEAP) program to multiple student groups ranging from preschool to 2nd grade.  The LEAP for Health curriculum uses storybooks and activities to teach children about nutritious foods, healthy eating habits, handwashing, food safety and the importance of being physically active.  

Among the preschool-2^nd grade student groups, approximately 486 students were reached at various locations throughout the county such as Headstart, Hodgenville Elementary, Abraham Lincoln Elementary and Preschool on College Street.  Storybooks about healthy food choices were used to increase awareness of fruits and vegetables and then a healthy snack always accompanied the book.   80% of children reported that they tried something new for the first time during LEAP and that they would eat it again if offered to them.  Parent newsletters were sent home each time to also try to reach as many adults as possible which included a recipe to try at home and to encourage caregivers in the home to offer healthier options.