The Lieutenant Governor’s Task Force on Childhood Nutrition and Fitness
Who We Are 

The Office of Lieutenant Governor Stephen L. Henry, M.D., created the Task Force on Childhood Nutrition and Fitness in response to the epidemic of overweight children in our state.  The Task Force met for the first time in May 2002 when a group of health professionals, educators, administrators and parents met to discuss their deep concern about the consequences of this epidemic, as well as their thoughts about the best solutions for addressing it. 

After discussion and analysis, the group came to the consensus that schools are one of the key settings for implementing public health strategies to prevent and decrease the prevalence of overweight and obesity among youth.  The Task Force did a study, thought to be the most in-depth of its kind in the nation, on vending machines, food used as rewards and physical activity in KY schools.  (Click here to see summary.)   The results were troubling, showing that 97% of high schools, 88% of middle schools and 44 % of elementary schools have vending machines available for student use and that 84% of the food sold in those machines is considered to be junk food.  The most common reward KY students are given for positive behavior is candy, soft drinks and pizza. 83% of schools have exclusive contracts with soft drink companies.  In addition the study found that the average elementary school student gets 14 minutes of recess a day; middle schools get 2.5 minutes and high schools students get 2 minutes. 

The Task Force went on to propose legislation in the 2002 General Assembly to improve nutrition and physical activity in schools.  See proposed legislation:  House Bill 553.  House Bill 553 received a groundswell of public support and was featured in over 50 newspaper articles across the state.   HB 553 passed out of the House Education Committee, The House Floor, and the Senate Education Committee.  In the final hours of the 2002 session, the bill failed to secure passage after the Senate adopted an unfriendly amendment. 

The Task Force is currently working on legislation for the 2003 General Assembly. 

In addition to legislative work, the Task Force works to educate and increase awareness of the issues of preventing childhood overweight.

Currently over 90 people from across the state serve on the Task Force on childhood nutrition and fitness.  

The Task force is comprised of an Executive Steering Committee along with the following subcommittees:

For additional information, please contact: 

Lieutenant Governor Stephen L. Henry, M.D., Chair 

Executive Steering Committee:
Tonya Chang
Health Services Liaison
Office of the Lt. Governor
502-564-2611 

Liaison:
Carolyn Dennis
Health Promotion Coordinator
Lexington-Fayette County Health Department
859-288-2485 

School Health Environment:
Anita Courtney
Director of Health Promotion
Lexington-Fayette County Health Department 

Grassroots/Community:
Janet Tietyen
Extension Specialist Food and Nutrition
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture
859-257-1812 

Emma Walters
Dietitian Consultant
KY Department of Public Health
502-564-2339 

Grants/Research:
Jody Clasey
Assistant Professor
University of Kentucky Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion
859-257-8055 

Public Awareness:
Melissa Adkisson
KY Office of Women’s Physical and Mental Health
502-564-9358

 

The vision of the Task Force on Childhood Nutrition and Fitness is that all Kentucky children will be raised in environments that model and support healthy eating behaviors and exercise.  Parents, schools, churches and communities will “walk the talk” when it comes to nutrition and fitness and our children will grow up strong and healthy, reaching their full potential, living long, healthy and happy lives.