Success StoryIndividuals with Disabilities Learn Hands-on Skills in a Nutrition and Cooking Class



Individuals with Disabilities Learn Hands-on Skills in a Nutrition and Cooking Class

Author: Abigail Ewing

Planning Unit: Jefferson County CES

Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

The Centers for Disease Control reported “The increasing weight gain and obesity of American men, women and children has been widely publicized…[with] less attention given to the fact that persons with physical, emotional and sensory disabilities are nearly twice as likely to be obese as the general population.” The Healthy Choices for Everybody curriculum was implemented at The Harbor House, whose motto is to “light the way for people with disabilities” by a SNAP-Ed assistant with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Nutrition Education Program. Everyone who wants to actively participate in the cooking portion of the class gets a chance to, and there is always so much enthusiasm. For example, during the pancake recipe for the breakfast lesson, each person in the class that day was able to stir the bowl of ingredients so that it was a well mixed batter ready to go into the skillet. Each person was able to flip their own pancake for the breakfast lesson as well. After completion of the program, 78% of the nine participants reported a positive change at their exit surveys in their consumption of solid fats and added sugars. The Healthy Choices class is an effective program for participants with disabilities to improve their diets while learning practical cooking skills.






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