Success StoryServing Those Who Served Our Country



Serving Those Who Served Our Country

Author: Benita Wade

Planning Unit: Christian County CES

Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

The Christian County Nutrition Education Program (NEP) SNAP-Ed assistant teaches classes from the Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum at a men's veterans facility. Many of the men are older and have physical challenges in addition to health problems like heart disease and diabetes. Along with the nutritional information, the assistant encourages physical fitness and exercise and gives a physical activity tip with every lesson.

Entry and exit tests show 88% of participants had improvement in one or more physical activity behaviors listed on the test with 75% of the participants exercising for a least 30 minutes more days a week. 57% reported making small changes to be active more often as well. 

In addition to increasing their physical activity, many of the veterans improved their diet. 88% of participants showed improvement in at least one area of their diet with 50% drinking less sweetened drinks. 

One client reported that he had lost 74 pounds, with "help from this class". He was inspired to change his diet and start a regular exercise program. He mentioned how much better he looked and felt.

Another client mentioned how he loved the healthy food samples and recipes given out in class and he asked for additional recipes as he had renewed his interest in cooking. Several other clients mentioned how they had started reading food labels to help reduce their sodium and sugar intake and were making other changes to improve their diets. 






Stories by Benita Wade


Teen Physical Activity Inspiration

about 3 years ago by Benita Wade

The SNAP-Ed assistant in Christian County taught the nutrition and health... Read More


Christian County Nutrition Education Program COVID-19 Community Response

about 4 years ago by Benita Wade

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Christian County SNAP-Ed assistant contributed to her county in ... Read More


Stories by Christian County CES


Growing Excitement

Growing Excitement

about 3 years ago by Matthew Futrell

Growing ExcitementThe 2021 Kentucky Haiti Benefit Auction was part of a much larger 7 state effort o... Read More


Grass in the Rumen Equals Pounds on the Rail

Grass in the Rumen Equals Pounds on the Rail

about 3 years ago by Matthew Futrell

Grass in the Rumen Equals Pounds on the RailThe key to a productive cattle herd is forage management... Read More