Author: Vanessa Harris
Planning Unit: Menifee County CES
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
Outcome: Initial Outcome
According to the CDC, in the United States the number of children with obesity has continued to rise over the past two decades. Obesity in childhood poses immediate and future health risks. Parents, guardians, and teachers can help children maintain a healthy weight by helping them develop healthy eating habits and limiting calorie-rich temptations. Additionally, helping children be physically active, reducing screen time, and getting adequate sleep can all have a positive impact towards a healthy future. The Menifee County SNAP-Ed Assistant taught six Exploring MyPlate with Professor Popcorn lessons to fifth grade students at a local school. Exploring MyPlate with Professor Popcorn provides nutrition and health information, and an opportunity to practice new skills, so that young people will understand that good health starts with the food and physical activity choices that they make daily. After six lessons with the fifth-grade students, a pretest and post-test evaluation of the students showed a 41% improvement in drinking less fruit flavored drinks and sports drinks and a 44% improvement in eating vegetables. In addition, 41% improved in their physical activity practices. The Menifee County ANR/4-H Agent did a Communications Program with the same fifth grade students that the SNAP-Ed assistant taught Exploring MyPlate with Professor Popcorn. One of the fifth-grade students did a speech on MyPlate and used the information they were given by the SNAP-Ed Assistant to present their speech. The student received a blue ribbon for the speech they presented.
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