According to Kentucky Health Fact, adults in Boyd County has a higher incidence of overweight (78%), obesity (42%), and lack of physical activity (33%) than the state averages.The Boyd County Extension Service (CES) partnered with the Family Resource, Family Youth Centers, and the county school district to address healthy lifestyle choices in youth and their families.  The goal was to impact youth today in order to reduce the incidence of cancer and chronic disease in the future. 

The FCS agent and the FCS Advisory Council enlisted the support of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed) Assistant and volunteers from the Boyd County Extension Homemakers to establish a Junior Homemaker Program. 

The program began in 2016 with one club consisting of ten boys and 15 girls all in 5^th or 6^th grade all from limited resource families.  The monthly meeting focused on nutrition, food preparation skills and food safety.Youth demonstrated reading comprehension skills as they interpreted recipes and math skills as they used a variety of measuring tools while preparing healthy snacks.  The youth adapted recipes, discovered ways to increase nutritional density (i.e. using whole grains to make pizza, incorporating a variety of vegetables) and practiced cooking methods (i.e. stir fry) that reduced calories and preserved nutrition. 

During 2017, over 100 Boyd County youth participated in one of the seven (7) Junior Homemaker Clubs.A total of 10 adult Extension Homemakers serve as leaders working with the FCS agent and SNAP Ed assistant to conduct the monthly meetings.  The youth share the information they learned with their families, employed their skills in preparing healthy snacks and meals at home, and have influenced food choices in their families.  Some of the Junior Homemakers are considering careers in nutrition and hospitality industries.  The KHEA members are providing a civic service by serving as leaders for the Junior Homemaker Club.  The  social impact to youth and their families is evident through comments mentioned by parents stating how the Junior Homemaker has influenced them to change family food choices that influence their health. 

Kentucky Health Facts

 http://www.kentuckyhealthfacts.org/data/location/show.aspx?cat=1%2C2%2C3%2C5%2C8%2C11&loc=10