Author: Esther "Susan" Turner
Planning Unit: Monroe County CES
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Plan of Work: Becoming Healthy
Outcome: Initial Outcome
According to the Kentucky Health Facts, one of the critical health challenge facing Monroe County is that our population is obese. Understanding that obesity often begins in childhood, the Monroe County Extension Council identified the need to assist youth in developing healthy habits in nutrition and exercise as a key area of focus for Monroe County 4-H Youth Development. The 4-H Youth Development Agent delivers nutrition programming to over ninety youth ages three to five in the Head Start program, in pre-school programs, and in school sponsored day care centers. Each month, youth are taught the basics of good nutrition through hands on, educational activities in food preparation and food safety. Youth in the program and introduced to new food items and the different food groups. Youth are introduced to the MyPlate plate and to the different colors representative of each food group. The LEAP curriculum was often utilized so that the children also had a book read that related to the food we prepared. Through oral evaluations, youth are able to place food items in the appropriate food groups and choose healthy snack options. Youth are empowered to try various fruits and vegetables prepared in many different ways and help to prepare the food themselves. Recipe sheets are sent home for parents each month to reinforce healthy food options in the home.
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