Success StoryLeap at Guiding Light



Leap at Guiding Light

Author: Whitney Paige Alexander

Planning Unit: Logan County CES

Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Logan County is one of six counties in Kentucky with obesity rates over 40 % .The percentage of children being overweight is 16.3% and 15.6% obese. The poverty level for Logan County is 19.7% with a food insecurity rate at 15.2%. Guiding Light Early Childhood Center and Day Care contacted the Logan County Extension Office to have Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-ED) Assistant, teach nutrition to their children during the summer. 

Children at Guiding Light are from limited income families. Paige taught the Literacy Eating and Physical Activity for Preschoolers curriculum with children by reading various books based on nutrition and provide healthy snacks for children to sample. 

Children began sampling new foods, learned about MyPlate, and food safety practices. Children showed 71% improvement on recognizing healthy snack options, 86% improvement on recognizing dairy foods options and 71% improvement in knowledge on handling food safely. Children sampled fruit yogurt parfaits, pasta salad and smoothies. The children also learned the importance of physical activity. Participation in this program and improvements in these areas contribute to the overall success of the program. 






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