Close Resources

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success StoryPost Pandemic Healthy High Schools



Post Pandemic Healthy High Schools

Author: Michele Moore

Planning Unit: Butler County CES

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

The CDC’s 2021 dietary and physical behaviors survey among high school students concluded that certain students are not engaging healthy dietary behaviors post covid 19 pandemic. “These findings are particularly concerning because of the association between poor dietary behaviors and insufficient physical activity and numerous chronic health conditions and poor mental health. Understanding current dietary and physical activity behaviors among students and comparing them to prepandemic data can identify areas of high need and be used to influence longer-term physical and mental health outcomes through primary chronic disease prevention strategies.”

To address this issue the Butler County Nutrition Education Program Assistant partnered with the first-year health classes at the Butler County High School to teach Teen Cuisine. The classes consisted of sixty students in the fall and seventy-five students in the spring at the Butler County Extension Office. The series of lessons focused primarily on diet quality and physical activity. Each class encounter included nutritious recipes prepared and encouraged. Also, the need for physical activity was addressed by students playing My Plate Relay and open discussion on the benefits of physical activity and eating My Plate. The fall class showed an 83% increase in diet quality and 67% increase in physical activity. The spring class demonstrated an 84% increase in diet quality and 65% increase in physical activity. 

The Butler County Nutrition Education Program Assistant and the Butler County High School Freshman Health Classes partnered to address these issues post pandemic and help the students of Butler County overcome obstacles that may be prohibiting healthy lifestyles. 







Stories by Michele Moore


Addressing Food Insecurity Through Education: The Impact of Nutrition Programming at Morgantown Mission Food Pantry

about 3 days ago by Michele Moore

Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in Kentucky, particularly in rural communities where povert... Read More


Healthy Eating Habits of After School Programming

about 2 months ago by Michele Moore

The 2020-2025 dietary guidelines Healthy Eating Index Score Across Childhood and Adolescences ranks ... Read More


Stories by Butler County CES


Addressing Food Insecurity Through Education: The Impact of Nutrition Programming at Morgantown Mission Food Pantry

about 3 days ago by Michele Moore

Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in Kentucky, particularly in rural communities where povert... Read More


Homesteading Program

about 6 days ago by Leah VanMeter

The Butler County Extension Agents for Agriculture and Family and Consumer Science developed a homes... Read More


Stories by Nutrition and Food Systems General


Food is Medicine - Strengthening Health Through Local Agriculture

Food is Medicine - Strengthening Health Through Local Agriculture

about 2 days ago by Natalie Taul

Grayson County took step toward improving community health and supporting local agriculture through ... Read More


Sourdough Basics – A Natural Leavening Bread

Sourdough Basics – A Natural Leavening Bread

about 15 days ago by Megan Gullett

In a time when the demand for healthier, cost-effective food options is on the rise, a series of wor... Read More