 The obesity epidemic continues to threaten the quality and years of life of many Kentuckians. The following data was shared by 2023 University of Kentucky Nutrition Education Program Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Annual Report. Today, 6 in 10 Americans live with at least one chronic disease. These include heart disease and stroke, cancer, and diabetes.3 These diseases are all associated with obesity and physical inactivity. The most recent data show that the percentage of adults who have obesity in Kentucky is 37%, ranking it in the top 10 states for high obesity rates in the country.4 The percentage of physically inactive Kentuckians is 29%, ranking it in the top eight most physically inactive states in the nation.4 A large amount of data shows that healthy eating habits and regular physical activity can help people achieve and maintain good health and reduce the risk of chronic disease throughout life.3 The County Health Rankings and Roadmaps Kentucky report shows that 41% of Leslie County’s adult population have obesity and 37% were physically inactive.4
SOURCES: 1. U.S. Census Bureau Small Area and Income Poverty Estimates 2. United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service 3. CDC National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion 4. County Health Rankings and Roadmaps
To promote health and wellness for Leslie County Youth and Residents, Leslie County FCS Agent taught five My Plate Lessons using the UK Nutrition Education Program Curriculum, Exploring MyPlate with Professor Popcorn. 1st and 2nd graders, along with 2 FMD Units were targeted because they are young and still forming their eating habits. Teachers in each classroom were strong supporters and participants also. This curriculum helps young people develop into healthy adults by gaining an interest in eating healthy foods, using safe food-handling techniques, and making physical activity part of their lifestyle.
Specific goals are to provide nutrition and health information as well as the opportunity to practice new skills so that youth will be able to:
• Understand that good health is, in part, about the food and activity choices that they make daily.
• Choose and use foods for good health that are consistent with MyPlate and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
• Improve practices in food selection, safety, and preparation.
• Enjoy being physically active.
• Sample a variety of foods while understanding portions and to choose better snacks that fit within healthy guidelines.
Evaluation
A total of 262, participated in Exploring MyPlate with Professor PopCorn. To measure the success of the program a pre and post Evaluation was conducted with each classroom.
First and Second Grades PRE-Evaluation findings:
• 90% Recognized and Correctly Circled the Foods that are Healthy Snacks
• 86% Recognized and Correctly Circled when you should wash your hands
• 82% Recognized and Correctly Circled the pictures that show Physical Activity
• 82% Recognized and Correctly Circled the foods from the Vegetable Group
• 82% Recognized and Correctly Circled the foods from the Fruit Group
• 74% Recognized and Correctly Circled the foods from the Grains Group
• 78% Recognized and Correctly Circled the foods from the Dairy Group
• 70% Recognized and Correctly Circled the foods from the Protein Foods Group
• 88% Recognized and Circled that they Almost Always or Always have Vegetables to Eat
• 84% Recognized and Circled that they Almost Always or Always have Fruits to eat
First and Second Grades POST- Evaluation findings:
• 97% Recognized and Correctly Circled the Foods that are Healthy Snacks
• 92% Recognized and Correctly Circled when you should wash your Hands
• 90% Recognized and Correctly circled the pictures that show Physical Activity
• 86% Recognized and Correctly Circled the Foods from the Vegetable Group
• 86% Recognized and Correctly Circled the foods from the Fruit Group
• 82% Recognized and Correctly Circled the Foods from the Grains Group
• 88% Recognized and Correctly Circled the foods from the Dairy Group • 86% Recognized and Correctly Circled the foods from the Protein Foods Group • 94% Recognized and Circled that they Almost Always or Always had Vegetables to Eat
• 87% Recognized and Circled that they Almost Always or Always had Fruits to eat
Leslie County Youth increased their chances of Health and Wellness by participation in Exploring My Plate with Professor PopCorn lessons. Many of them shared with their families the foods they sampled and the activity during the lessons, as evidenced by comments from parents. Lessons like these may help break the obesity epidemic in Leslie County for the future and promote healthier and stronger families. | 
