Childhood obesity is an issue in children and adults in Laurel County, Kentucky.  Many children are unaware of the difference between healthy foods and foods which offer little but empty calories.  The Laurel County Expanded Food and Nutrition Program assistant partnered with the Laurel County Public Schools and the East Bernstadt Independent Schools to teach kindergarten students about MY Plate.  The assistant came to eight classrooms six times throughout the school year.  The students learned about the different food groups and tried new foods each time.  They were excited to try new foods and were surprised to find many they liked.  These foods included spinach, fresh pineapple, kiwi, honeydew, celery and frozen yogurt to name a few.  They always wanted to know what they were going to try.

At the end of the lessons, the one hundred and sixty one students could make better food choices.  81 per cent could identify dairy foods, 70 per cent could identify vegetables, 66 per cent could identify vegetables and 63 percent cold identify fruits.  The children had fun and also learned new ways to incorporate physical activity.  Learning to love new foods which are healthy can help them to choose better options which can lead to lifelong health.  By eating more nutritious foods and getting more physical activity, they can help combat childhood obesity and adult obesity.