According to the National Survey of Children’s Health, Kentucky is ranked the third highest state for childhood obesity with 20.8% of youth ages 10 to 17 being obese. The overall increase in obesity is a result of behaviors that influence excess weight gain including poor diet, lack of physical activity, and sedentary activities such as watching television or other screen devices. However, community can also influence the ability to make healthy choices. It can be difficult for parents and children to make healthy choices when they are exposed to environments that do not support healthy habits.  

Girls on the Run is a national physical activity-based positive youth development program for girls. Girls on the Run of Central Kentucky currently hosts sites in Bath, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Clay, Fayette, Franklin, Harrison, Henry, Jackson, Jessamine, Leslie, Madison, Marion, Montgomery, Owen, Owsley, Rockcastle, Rowan, Scott, and Woodford counties in Kentucky. In fall 2019, Powell County Family and Consumers Sciences Agent and Bowen Elementary Family Resource Center Director worked with the Girls on the Run Central Kentucky Council to add a new site in Powell County at Bowen Elementary School. 

Each season, girls will gain a better understanding of who they are and what’s important to them, the value of teamwork and healthy relationships and how they can have a positive impact on the world. The Girls on the Run curriculum is designed to help girls build confidence, character, and connections to become caring and competent individuals who will contribute to their communities. 

Girls also make a meaningful contribution to their community through a team-organized Community Impact Project. Physical activity is woven into the program to inspire an appreciation for fitness and healthy habits and teach life skills including treating others with care, practicing gratitude and managing emotions. Each season culminates with a Girls on the Run 5K event. This celebratory, non-competitive event provides girls with a sense of accomplishment and instills the value of goal setting at a young age.  

In the first season of Girls on the Run, Bowen Elementary had eleven girls participated in the program. For their community impact project, the girls decided to make greeting cards for the Stanton Nursing Home residents. Altogether, they made over 80 cards to give to local seniors. At the end of the season, six of the girls completed a 5k race at Keeneland Horse Park.