Poor nutrition and physical inactivity are tied to obesity. Recent research shows that among U.S. children, ages 2 to 4, nearly 14% were overweight and 13.5% were obese.  Obesity rates for children ages 6 to 11 was even higher at 17 .5%. Obesity has been shown to contribute to major health issues including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, elevated blood cholesterol levels, low self-esteem, negative body image and depression in children. 

To address these concerns, the County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences collaborated with the Metcalfe Co. Extension NEP and general program assistants and the five Kindergarten teachers at the Edmonton Primary Center, to offer the LEAP for Health program to 88 Kindergarten students with 69 students completing both the pre and post program evaluations.  The program consisted of six lessons that focused on teaching children about nutritious foods, healthy eating habits, handwashing/germs and being physically active.  Pre and post program evaluation results are as follows:  

30/69 or 43% of kids showed improvement in being able to identify kids being physically active; 32/69 or 46% improved in identifying a what a healthy snack is, 29/69 or 42% improved in identifying what a vegetable is, 37/69 or 54% improved in identifying what dairy foods are, 21/69 or 30% improved in identifying fruits, 44/69 or 64% improvement in knowing when to wash hands. 

This Agent provided the physical activity segments utilizing the LEAPS Exercise and Joey the Kangaroo books. Participants learned simple, age appropriate exercises that allowed them to actively move from head to toe and participated in 40 minutes of physical activity, as a result of this program offering.  Teachers and children all enjoyed having Extension personnel come into their classroom setting virtually live, on their classroom whiteboards and good interaction between Extension staff, teachers and students occurred.