The Lunch & Learn Series of classes were targeted toward adults who were unable to attend nutrition classes during the day or afternoons.Individuals came, brought and ate their lunch while learning how to prepare healthier meals for themselves and their families.  The curriculum that was used was, “Healthy Choices for Every Body.”  The Nutrition Educator also partnered with the Family and Consumer Science Agent’s program “Get Moving Grayson County,” to further enhance physical activity along with increased knowledge of better nutrition.  Conferring with the Kentucky Health Facts website, Grayson County’s inactivity rate is ranked at 34%; and furthermore, their obesity rates are an astounding 37%, when Kentucky as a whole is ranked at 33%. These two programs joined forces to help families and individuals focus on eating healthier and moving more.

 The Nutrition classes were offered weekly for a total of ten (10) weeks.  Each person that attended the first 7 nutrition classes, and were also participating in the “Get Moving Grayson County” program, were enrolled in a drawing for gift certificates at the end of the series, that were provided by CommuniCare Regional Prevention Center; whom is one of our community partners.   This was an incentive to keep people actively participating in both programs. 

The Lunch & Learn Series started with 32 participants, and out of those 32 people, 25 finished the program.  As a result of the Nutrition Classes, participants showed improvements in all ten categories that were covered in the lessons.  56% of individuals showed improvement in planning meals ahead; 54% improved in comparing food prices; 46% improved knowledge of reading and using Nutrition Facts Labels; and there was a 71% improvement of individuals not thawing foods at room temperature any more.  As a result of the individuals participating in both programs, it was reported that there was a 44% improvement rate of several health issues, i.e. blood pressure, weight, and lower cholesterol numbers.

Here are some quotes from participants:

-These classes made me more aware of my eating and exercise habits

-These programs involved the whole community.  It was nice seeing people start a healthier lifestyle.

-Through these programs, I felt more connected to the community and saw myself become more active and eating healthier, instead of living a stagnant life.

-I love the recipes and getting to sample them each week.

The “Lunch & Learn Series” in conjunction with “Get Moving Grayson County” will be offered again next year.  We are expecting to have more collaboration from community partners and hopefully more participants as well.