In the state of Kentucky there are 104,293 individuals with diabetes between the ages of 3-21 years old. On top of this static there is a rise in childhood obesity; between the ages of 10-17 years old the obesity rate is 41 percent.  With childhood obesity still rising and teens spending less time being physically active it creates issues for the future leading to adulthood obesity, health concerns and diseases. 

Paige Alexander with the University of Kentucky contacted the Logan County High School Mild and Severe Disabilities unit. She discussed with teachers and paraeducators what they would like the students to gain knowledge on nutrition, cooking, and hands-on in the kitchen. Paige told them that Teen Cuisine would be the best curriculum for them by using the workbooks as visual guides, using pictures of ingredients for making the recipes, and hands on experience. The program would be a 60-minute session 6 times with cooking a new recipe each time. 

After teaching the Teen Cuisine program students showed 100 percent improvement in dietary recommendations, safe food handling practices, and physical activity. Students also tried food for the first time by taking a “Hello Bite” for Ms. Paige . One individual had never had a chicken quesadilla and tried it for the first time and loved it. Ms. Paige talked to them about keeping physical activity as a goal and created goodie bags for them to stay active during the summer break.