Childhood obesity is associated with a higher chance of being an obese adult, therefore developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age.  In Kentucky, 20.8% of youth ages 10-17 have obesity.  By participating in nutrition education and exposing children to nutritious foods, they will make their own decisions about what to consume, therefore giving them a better likelihood to decrease their chances of obesity.  

Eighteen Carlisle County Elementary 4^th grade students participated in the Jump into Food and Fitness program.  The SNAP-Ed assistant for Carlisle County partnered with the physical education instructor for the elementary school.  The group met weekly during their physical education class.  Each session consisted of a lesson from the curriculum on MyPlate, including trying new foods, think your drink, food safety, reading nutrition labels, hand washing, and less screen time - more physical activity.   A food sampling was provided to correspond with each lesson. Each class concluded with a physical activity under the physical education instructor guidance.

Students increased food label reading skills by 61%.  57% of students improved their consumption of eating fruits and vegetables for snacks and lunch.  46% demonstrated food safety behaviors by returning cold foods to the refrigerator, washing fruits and vegetables before eating, and proper handwashing techniques before preparing and eating foods.  Physical activity increased along with the duration of physical activity by 42%, and non-homework screen time decreased by 33%. Unhealthy beverage consumption, such as drinking fruit-flavored drinks, sports drinks, and soda decreased by 46%.  Students increased trying new foods by 67%.

After being shown how much sugar was in cold drinks, one student expressed she no longer came in from school and had a Mountain Dew. She chose water instead.