Per the State of Childhood Obesity in 2017 and 2018, 20.8% of Kentucky youth between the ages of 10 and 17 are obese. Many contributing factors play a part in the aforementioned obesity statistics, but the two biggest culprits are: increased screen time, leading to a sedentary lifestyle, and choosing unhealthy grab and go snacks. 

The Harrison County Cynthiana Public Library and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Program, through the University of Kentucky Harrison County Extension Office, partnered to help youth make healthier choices. The program for grades three through five was taught to the youth to encourage more physical activity, and to eat more fruits and vegetables. Once per week, for seven weeks, ten youth gathered for the program. During the weekly one-and-a-half-hour meeting, the SNAP-Ed Program Assistant used the LEAP program to deliver an engaging story, provided a physical activity, and introduced the youth to a fun, kid friendly recipe. The youth prepared their own recipe.

Upon the completion of the program, 70% of the participants showed improvement in duration of physical activity, 60% improved frequency of eating vegetables, and 50% improved on eating fruits for snacks. The final day of the program, the youth invited family to attend. The youth prepared healthy snacks for their guests and shared what they had learned from the program. Two parents shared that their children are now helping them in the kitchen to prepare meals.