Kentucky is one of the ten states that has the highest obesity rates in the United States. It is ranked sixth place with obesity rates in pre-kindergarten; it is ranked first in obesity rates in adolescents.  According to these rates the average that children are ingesting is twenty-one to twenty-three teaspoons of sugar daily. With this being an epidemic leading into childhood, adolescent and adulthood obesity the Logan County Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Educator (SNAP ED Assistant) Paige Alexander contacted Chandlers Elementary School to teach the LEAP program to their kindergarten class.

The LEAP program was conducted by Paige Alexander. She read various books to the children focusing on healthy eating habits, nutritious foods, and focus on physical activity. Paige spent six hours with the students reading and having a nutritious food for them to sample that was discussed in the book. Students were surprised to be able to taste exotic fruit such as mango and that they could purchase it in their local grocery stores.  Students also gained knowledge on importance of physical activity and proper hand washing techniques.

The LEAP program was a success by students being introduced to new foods that they could get at local grocery stores. One student that has sensory disabilities tried yogurt for the first time and loved it. He begged for more and was told that he could tell his mom he loved fat free vanilla yogurt when they go grocery shopping. At the beginning of the program he would not try a “hello bite” of the food and started trying each food that was introduced to him.  Students increased their knowledge on the difference between fruits and vegetables and their consumption of fruits and vegetables.