According to the 2023 America's Health Rankings, the United Health Foundation reported that the Commonwealth of Kentucky ranked 41st for overall health. Additionally, the 2022 Kentucky Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey reports that:

1. 38% of citizens are obese
2. 26% do not engage in any non-work physical activity 
3. 45% eat fruit less than once per day
4. 20% eat vegetables less than once per day

These factors contribute to health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancers, which diminish quality of life and contribute to premature death.

In response to these concerning statistics, the Menifee County Nutrition Education Program Assistant presented 6 lessons from the Teen Cuisine Curriculum to 8th grade students. This curriculum focuses on teaching youth about healthy eating habits, food safety, and the importance of physical activity. Pre- and post-evaluations were conducted with the students to measure the impact of the lessons.

After completing the six required lessons, 76% of the students showed improvement in diet quality, 84% showed improvement in physical activity and 73% showed improvement in food safety. The students expressed that what you eat matters and that being healthy is important. This program not only educated the students but also empowered them to make healthier choices, potentially leading to long-term benefits for their overall health and well-being.