According to 2017 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, the obesity rate for children ages 9-12 in Kentucky is 20.2%. Recent research has indicated that teaching cooking skills to children encourages healthier food choices, which can lower obesity rates. In an effort to address this problem, this summer the Simpson County 4-H Youth Development and Family & Consumer Sciences Extension Agents along with the Franklin-Simpson Schools Community Education Director presented a Super Star Chef at the High School Culinary Arts Classroom. This two-day camp for ages 9-12 is designed to teach kitchen safety, food safety, nutrition concepts, and physical activity. In addition, the children practiced food preparation skills with supervision.

Sixteen children completed the pretest and posttest to examine the impact of the program on their nutrition knowledge and cooking self-efficacy. Overall pre/post comparisons of participants’ responses to the assessment showed that the program enhanced all participants understanding of the nutrition concepts covered in the program.

Following the program, 100% felt they could identify healthy foods, 93% plan to drink more water every day, 85% plan to eat more fruit, and 85% plan to try new foods.  Two participants reported, “They have cooked eggs for their family’s breakfast” since attending Super Star Chef.  Several parents also commented how much their children enjoyed coming to the camp and are excited to be in the kitchen helping.