UC Cooperative Extension | Agricultural Experiment Station

New 4-H director to youth: ‘You are worthy and you are valuable’

Seen here sharing a moment with the 2023-24 4-H State Ambassador team at the State Leadership Conference, Holmes aims to ensure every young person across California has access to 4-H programs. Photo courtesy of California 4-H

Holmes brings a lifetime of service, mentorship to California 4-H program Growing up in rural Alabama, Kimberly Sinclair Holmes – the new statewide director of California 4-H – experienced firsthand the enduring value of youth development...

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Childhood obesity remains an American epidemic – according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every five children ages 6-19 is obese. Overweight and obese children are at increased risk of developing chronic disease, such as heart disease and diabetes, as well as social and psychological problems. The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB’S) is one factor that contributes to obesity and research shows that substituting zero calorie water in place of SSB’s can help reduce weight gain. In Contra Costa County, 17% of youth ages 12-17 drank one or more soda the previous day. Recognizing a need to create a positive impact, Contra Costa County 4-H and Nutrition Family and Consumer Science (NFCS) Advisors collaborated to educate teens at John Swett High School (JSHS) in the Bay Area, where 55 percent of the teens qualify for free and reduced lunch.

Read about: Collaborative 4-H and Nutrition project identifies why teens are not drinking water at school | View Other Stories

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