Success StoryTest tubes of truth



Test tubes of truth

Author: Cathy Fellows

Planning Unit: Boone County CES

Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)

Outcome: Initial Outcome


In the fall of 2018, The University of Kentucky's Cooperative Extension Services conducted a survey of Boone County

residents. The study revealed an obesity rate of 35%, along with 11.1% of residents having diabetes, and 33.5% having

hypertension. These alarming rates sparked a partnership between The Boone County's Snap-Ed Nutrition Education

Program Assistant and St. Elizabeth's HealthCare's Primewise 50+years and older group.

A 5-part nutrition series was conducted, with 26 PrimeWise Healthcare members. One of the many lessons taught was

"Knowing your limits". In this lesson participants pass around test tubes that are filled with various content:  sugar, salt,

and fats for some commonly consumed foods and beverages.

In some of the test tubes, participants compare fat content between fish, chicken, 90% lean ground beef and one fast

food cheeseburger.   The fish test tube is filled 1/10 with fat, while 90% lean ground beef and chicken fills ¾ of a test

tube, and the fast food cheeseburger fills up three complete test tubes.  A participant exclaimed "The demonstration on

sugar and fat content in common foods was the best ever demonstration!" another said "What an eye opener showing

the amounts of sugar fats and salts in food, "I will never eat another fast food cheeseburger without thinking of the fat

and sodium content".

According to data from a national reporting system showed the Primewise group lowered their Saturated fat intake by 100%.

 







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