According to the Centers for Disease Control approximately 17 percent of children in Kentucky are obese.  The importance of good nutrition education at an early age cannot be stressed enough as citizens work to change food cultures and knowledge that will affect future generations.

     Breathitt County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, Kayla Watts, in partnership with the Kentucky Nutrition Education Program, hosted a 3-day workshop for youth entitled, Super Star Chef.  As a part of this program, youth ranging from ages 9 to 14, were exposed to basic nutrition information, learned about food safety practices, and tried new/healthy recipes.

     14 youth participated in the 3-day Super Star Chef Program in Breathitt County.  Youth completed a series of pre-post assessments to confirm knowledge gained as a part of participating in the program.  Overall, average total scores on the assessments showed students had learned useful nutrition information.  Too the post-assessment included self-assessment questions where 100% of participants agreed/strongly agreed that they learned how to wash their hands to remove germs; learned how to measure ingredients; learned the correct way to hold a knife for cutting; and learned how to read nutrition labels. Also, all participants (100%) plan to eat more fruits and vegetables after participating in the program.

     Programs such as Super Star Chef are one way to combat growing childhood obesity rates.  Participants learned valuable nutrition and food safety information and practices that they will carry with them into adulthood.