The results of a collaborative program between Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital in Louisville, Ky., and the Food Literacy Project intended to curb childhood obesity have been very encouraging thus far.
The program, known as the Farm to Family Initiative, aims to influence long-term health and food literacy for students at two Louisville elementary schools through farm-based experiential education, after-school clubs, family engagement, and food access programs.
The program was launched in October 2013 and has produced some impressive results, some of which were highlighted at a community meeting on Feb. 23.
Here are some of the findings:
- The percentage of students now eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily has increased from 23 percent to 41 percent.
- The percentage of students engaged in at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity has increased from 63 percent to 91 percent.
- The percentage of students who have eaten a vegetable they harvested or picked themselves has increased from 59 percent to 90 percent.
- The percentage of students who know how to prepare a healthy recipe has increased from 63 percent to 93 percent.
The results of the program are particularly encouraging considering more than 90 percent of the students at the two elementary schools involved qualify for the federal free or reduced price lunch program, 35 percent of the student populations are overweight or obese and many live in areas classified as "food deserts" by the USDA.
More articles on food programs:
UMass Medical School developing app to help users stop stress eating
Whole Foods considers adding health retreats and clinics
Eskenazi Health to reduce readmissions with free food for seniors