The Highland Village senior living apartments and the Campbell County Cooperative Extension Services worked together to provide a valuable program, Healthy Choices for Every Body, to the Highland Village residents. According to the 2019 Kentucky Extension Community Assessment Campbell County report, of the top priority issues reported by Campbell County residents, is prioritizing fewer chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc). The Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum, based on the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, puts into practice these dietary recommendations aimed at improving health and reversing obesity and chronic diseases for Americans.

Lessons incorporated techniques on limiting saturated and trans fats, added sugars and sodium in the diet, planning meals with foods including low-fat/fat-free dairy, lean proteins, more fruits and vegetables and 100% whole-wheat grain products, and understanding serving sizes. Ten Highland Village residents attended a total of six lessons throughout a two month time-frame. Hands-on cooking activities were conducted with recipes highlighting all of the different food groups. For example, broccoli salad showed residents a new way to use broccoli and a low-fat mayo. Sloppy Garden Joes, a healthy twist on an American favorite, featured carrots, green peppers and a lean protein (ground turkey). Whole Grain Strawberry Pancakes used 100% whole wheat flour rather than white, and fresh strawberries and yogurt topped the pancakes rather than syrup.

By the programs conclusion, 60% of the participants surveyed ate fruit more often each day, 60% increased their consumption of red and orange vegetables, and 60% added more dark green vegetables into their diets each week. Half of the participants began cooking at home more often, which has been proven to lead to a diet higher in the consumption of healthy fruits and vegetables. These habits are a great start to better health outcomes for these individuals.