The Issue:

Obesity is a large problem for many children in the United States. Some of the reasons for this is families not having the resources for healthy food options, resources for an appropriate diet, and youth only wanting to eat food that they are familiar with. According to americashealthrankings.org, there is a 33.3% obesity rate for Kentucky’s youth ages 10-17 putting Kentucky in 38^th ranking. Through Extension, we want to help promote healthy living and have youth learn to thrive in their lifestyle. 

Educational Program Response:

In Extension, creating a healthier lifestyle is one task that is continuously worked upon helping families improve. We want to be a beneficial resource to the entire public to make healthy, sustainable changes in the diet lifestyle that will benefit them. With this, the Christian County Extension Agents partnered with Indian Hills Elementary School and their Family Resource Coordinator to provide a tasty program called Food for Thought. Every year, we rotate to a new school to try to reach all the youth in the county. 

This program was designed to give youth an opportunity to taste test a food that they may not choose on their own. Food for Thought is a month-long program; at the beginning of the week the youth are read a book that goes along with the food sample for the week. The books and samples are: 

If You Give a Moose a Muffin- Honey Raisin Muffin

Handa’s Surprise- Avocado

Tops & Bottoms- Turnips

Jack & the Hungry Giant- Snap Peas

After they have tried their sample, they are given a sticker to show that they did try it. The sticker prize is an incentive to entice the youth to try the sample even if it is a tiny bite. At the end of every week, the youth would receive a fun prize to help remember their sample and give another positive incentive. The prizes this year were water bottles with a fruit water recipe, seed packets, fruit and vegetable shaped erasers and apple stress balls. 

Participants and Impact:

The Food for Thought program was able to serve 571 youth from grade Kindergarten to fifth grade. It was proven success with 70% stating that they tried a new food. Only 14% had tried a turnip before the Food for Thought program with 64% stepping out of the comfort zone and giving it a try during sampling. Out of all four samples, the fan favorite with 71% was the Honey Raisin Muffins. While handing out the samples, many youth were excited and loved telling us that they tried something new. Some even asked where we purchased the item from because they were going to have their parents get them for their house. The Family Resource Coordinator emailed to say “The kids really enjoyed it, several have asked if you all are coming back.” It is great to have a positive impact on the youth and the food that they can choose.