Recess and gym time are limited in schools.  There is no "home ec" class offered in each school.  Parents are busy working, going to school, running kids to appointments and activities.  Most families eat on the run, but when they do eat at home it is still a tiresome rush.  Families don't eat together often and even more rarely do they cook together.  It is a sad situation where people of all ages, especially youth, aren't active enough and can not prepare foods themselves.  What will the future hold if health and ability aren't taken into consideration?

In Laurel County the Nutrition Education Program assistant works with youth of all ages.  74% of sixth through eighth graders changed one or more habits regarding physical activity after a few lessons.  52% of youth of all ages gained knowledge and practiced safe food handling after NEP lessons.  59% of youth of all ages gained knowledge and skills in their ability to prepare nutritious, simple, and affordable foods after lessons with the NEP assistant.  The future can look forward to healthy, capable people because of the work and encouragement of NEP.