According to data from the CDC, childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States, putting children and adolescents at risk for poor health. Obesity prevalence among children and adolescents is still too high. Obesity prevalence was 12.7% among 2- to 5-year-olds, 20.7% among 6- to 11-year-olds, and 22.2% among 12- to 19-year-olds. Obesity-related conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, breathing problems such as asthma and sleep apnea, and joint problems. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html.

The Owsley County Extension office collaborated with the Owsley County School system providing nutrition education to school children with such curriculums as Professor Popcorn, during these lessons participants are provided with healthy nutrition lessons, physical activity as well as food safety. Pre and post lesson evaluations are given during the six core lessons, 3rd grade students showed a marked improvement in all three categories with an 84% improvement in their diet quality, 78% improvement in frequency and duration of physical activity, as well as an 89% improvement in screen time.