The data, from the National Survey of Children’s Health, show that in 2020-2021, 17.0% of youth ages 10 to 17 had obesity. In Kentucky, 25.5% of youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity, giving Kentucky a ranking of 2 among the 50 states and D.C. https://stateofchildhoodobesity.org

The Todd County Cooperative Extension Office offered a summer day camp, Super Star Chef, a nutrition education curriculum, for ages 9 through 12. The Family Consumer Science Agent, the 4H Agent, and the Nutrition Education Program (NEP) Assistant collaborated to cover all the camp activities.

Youth completed a pre and post web-based nutrition education evaluation and reporting system (WebNEERS) survey for the NEP Assistant. The Todd County NEP Assistant taught youth knife skills, food safety lessons, how to read nutrition facts labels, and why eating a healthy diet using MyPlate is important. 

Improvement summary per age groups:

3^rd-5^th grade youth:

• 80% improved knowledge to choose 1 or more foods consistent with Dietary Guidelines.
• 60% improved knowledge to choose 2 or more foods consistent with Dietary Guidelines. 

6^th-8^th grade youth:

• 100% improved food choice with 1 or more foods consistent with Dietary Guidelines.
• 71% improved food choice with 3 or more foods consistent with Dietary Guidelines.

Summary for all youth:

• 88% improved abilities to choose foods according to Federal Dietary Recommendations.
• 63% increased safe food handling practices.

All participants took home a Superstar Chef Recipe book and kitchen tools to help them prepare recipes at home with their families.