LEAP Program, presented to every Kindergarten and First Grade Class in Muhlenberg County (492 students) 

           Students in elementary school are faced with choices everyday whether that is the shoes they are going to wear, or the color to color with, or deciding on the playground equipment to play on. The most important decision students make during the day are their food choices. This is a decision that is over looked and many students do not know how to make a healthy food decision. According to The State of Obesity website the state of Kentucky has a 33.5% rate for childhood obesity. Teaching healthy habits to students at a young age is an excellent way to change unhealthy behaviors and instill healthy habits for the future. The Family and Consumer Sciences Agent and the Nutrition Education Program Assistant from the Muhlenberg County Cooperative Extension Office partnered together to address the childhood obesity problem in Muhlenberg County. During the 2017-2018 school year the 4-week LEAP program (Literacy, Eating and Activity for Primary) was presented to every kindergarten and first grade class in Muhlenberg County, 495 students. The LEAP program teaches students in primary grades about making healthy choices such as healthy snacks, dairy foods, fruits, vegetables, physical activity, and washing their hands. During the program, a book is read to the students over a topic that reinforces healthy living, the students then participate in an activity that reviews the material discussed in the book and finally the students prepare a healthy snack to enjoy.

            To evaluate the students and the program an evaluation is given to the students at the beginning and then the same evaluation is presented to the students to fill out after the 4 weeks. One of the outcomes of the LEAP program in Muhlenberg County was that 47% of the students improved at recognizing a healthy snack. At the end of the LEAP programs 50% of the 495 students improved at recognizing dairy foods. When looking at the results from the LEAP program 83% of the students improved 1 or more knowledge of skills necessary to choose foods that the FDA recommends. Teaching the students proper handling of food is important and because of this program 51% of the students improved knowledge of skills related to handling food safely. The kindergarten and first grade students learned about important topics during the LEAP program and because of the LEAP program 94% of the 496 students improved in one or more core area such as recognizing fruits and vegetables, washing hands, recognizing healthy snacks, and recognizing dairy foods.

Students engaged in physical activity while the FCS agent called out what activity to do.

The LEAP program teaches students how to take care of their teeth by brushing, flossing, and healthy eating. This student was demonstrating what an unhealthy smile looks like when we don't brush.




Students participated in various activities during the LEAP program. This student is participating in the MyPlate relay by putting foods in the correct food groups.