The National Center for Health Statistics published a book entitled Fast food intake among children and adolescents in the United States, 2015-2018 that states, “Fast food has been associated with higher caloric intake and poorer diet quality in children and adolescents.” And “During 2015–2018, children and adolescents consumed on average 13.8% of their daily calories from fast food on a given day.” In an effort to decrease fast food consumption the Butler County Nutrition Education Program Assistant taught thirteen K-2 students the importance of eating healthy snacks and fruits and vegetables.

Butler County NEP partnered with Butler County Community Education Summer Camp and taught these students a series of lessons from Literacy, Eating and Activity for Preschool/Primary. The goal was to introduce students to fruits and vegetables and help them gain knowledge in making healthy food decisions at an early age. Upon completion, 85% improved their responses of identifying fruits, 77% improved their responses in identifying dairy foods, and 54% improved their responses of identifying healthy snacks. 38% could better identify vegetables and 77% improved on identification of kids being active.

It is the hope that this increase in valuable knowledge will be building blocks to a healthy lifestyle and help decrease fast food consumption among children in Butler County. This small class gives insight into what is possible when Nutrition Education and partners such as Butler County Community Education work together. Knowledge is a powerful tool.