Recently at the Breckenridge/Grayson Head Start Program, in Grayson County, KY., the Nutrition Education Program Assistant, from the Grayson County Extension Office, taught a series of nutrition classes, using the “Healthy Choices for Every Body” curriculum. The class started with ten participants, but, unfortunately only 3 of those attended all seven of the core classes in order to complete the series. However, among those who did complete the series, there were major increases in their knowledge and understanding of nutrition and how to incorporate more physical activity into their busy mom lives. The chart below shows significant improvements in the participant’s diet quality.

Key Fact: 100% (3 of 3) of participants showed improvement in one or more diet quality indicators(i.e., eating fruits, vegetables, red and orange vegetables, dark green vegetables, drinking less regular soda (not diet), drinking less fruit punch, fruit drinks, sweet tea, or sports drinks, and cooking dinner at home).

Improvement in Areas

# % 0% 100%

1+ Areas 3 of 3 100%

2+ Areas 2 of 3 66%

3+ Areas 2 of 3 66%

4+ Areas 2 of 3 66%

5+ Areas 2 of 3 66%

6+ Areas 1 of 3 33%

 7+ Areas 0 of 3 0%

Other areas showed that 100% of participants improved food safety practices, 67% made small changes to be more active; and since obesity numbers are on the rise this is more important than ever. Also 100% of the members participating in this series, showed improvements in food resource management and cook dinner at home more often. Even though all participants of the Head Start parent’s group didn’t finish the series, the NEP Assistant made unlimited efforts to build a relationship with this organization and their clients in order to maintain opportunities for future classes.