In 2018, Kentucky had the third worst rate of obesity in the country with 20% of Kentucky teens being obese and 13% of Kentucky children between ages 2 and 4 being obese.  Gutermuth Elementary School in Jefferson County has 91% of students qualifying for free or reduced priced school meals.  These are the children who grow up to be overweight adults who are at risk of diabetes, heart disease and other issues. 13% of these students are Hispanic with limited English proficiency.

Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Agents and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program Assistants partnered with K through 2nd grade teachers at the school to introduce to them through play and nutrition education games, as well as hands on food demonstrations, the many types of fruits, vegetables and grains.  They were taught how to plant seeds to grow their own food as well as the nutritional value of eating all the different colors of fruits and vegetables. Choosing healthy snacks that taste good and did not need a lot of preparation was important as the goal was/is for them to be able to choose healthy options.  Along with making good choices in what they eat, they were encouraged to get up and move.  Run, jump, skip, dance even while sitting looking at television or playing video games, take breaks and move. 

Despite the language barrier that existed for many of the children 51% of these children improved 1 or more skills necessary to choose foods consistent with the Federal Dietary Guidelines and 58% of these children improved in one or more core areas.