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%. The Daviess County Extension Council has identified childhood obesity as an important health issue facing their community. 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 Daviess County 4-H and Family Consumer Sciences Extension Agents along with the Nutrition Education Program Assistant presented NEP Super Star Chef Camp at the Daviess County Extension Office. This three-day camp for children aged 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.

Fifteen youth 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 instrument showed that the program enhanced participants understanding of the nutrition concepts covered in the program. 

Following the program, 100% plan to drink more water every day. 93% said they plan to try new foods, eat more fruit, and know the four simple steps to safe food (clean, separate, cook, and chill). Their confidence in cooking skills improved with 90% feeling confident they can help make family meals, use a recipe with confidence, and measure correctly.