This blog is dedicated to examining issues facing the Commonwealth of Kentucky and providing a nonpartisan, family perspective on public policy making. We hope to provide a forum for Kentuckians to review and discuss current legislative actions and the issues such actions are attempting to address. The opinions expressed herein belong solely to the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Kentucky, its affiliates, or its representatives.
What the authors of this blog will contribute: 1) Summarize current state, national, and international research related to topics relevant to current legilative actions. 2) Describe Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service programs and activities currently addressing issues related to legilative actions in the various counties. 3) Provide expert commentaries via podcasts and videocasts on issues relevant to current legilative actions.
Please see "Priority Bills" section on the right for a short list of the most current legislative actions relevant to the family focus of this blog
Proposed SB86 and HB246 would alter the manner in which restaurants display caloric information, and would require all restaurants with 20 or more locations in the United States to provide nutrient content statements for everything served on menus, inside menu boards, and drive through windows. More detailed information would be available at the restaurants at the customer’s request; currently there are no requirements that fast food restaurants provide any nutrition information to consumers.
Studies have shown that customers tend to order menu items with fewer calories when the caloric intake is posted in restaurants by an average of 75 calories per order. At this rate, the average person could lose approximately 10 pounds per year.
The food industry also is likely to reduce the calorie content of some items once menu labeling goes into effect. For example, after menu labeling requirements were implemented in New York City, Dunkin’ Donuts reduced the calories in a Glazed Cake Stick from 490 calories to 360 calories, KFC reduced their Firey Buffalo Wings by 110 calories, and McDonalds cut 70 calories in a large order of French fries.
All blog entries are dated and organized using labels. To search for information on a specific topic, bill, or county; simply scroll down the labels below on the right-hand side and click on the desired link. When you click on the link, all related blog entries will come up. You also can search this blog by typing in keywords of interest in the search element at the top-left corner of this page.
We also have included a list of useful links that readers might find helpful in gathering information.
Ms. Lora Lee Frazier Howard is the Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences in Clay County. She has served in this role for over 26 years. Ms. Howard's educational program focuses on food and nutrition education, family life education, management, the home environment, and leadership development.
Ms. Janet Johnson is the Allen County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. Her educational program includes nutrition and family economics education, leadership, and community development with an emphasis on mass media communications. Ms. Johnson has worked in the regional and local public policy arena with health, environmental, and economic infrastructure development. She is a former Congressional intern and a current member of the Kentucky Executive Branch Citizen Advisory Committee.
Dr. Ann Vail is the Director of the School of Human Environmental Sciences and the Assistant Director for Extension at the University of Kentucky. Her research emphasis has been leadership development and teacher change. Her program development and evaluation efforts have focused on building strong families in the areas of marriage education, parenting education, and nutrition education. She currently servers on the Health of Rural Kentucky Task Force in the Kentucky Institute of Medicine.
Contact
If you would like more information or have an idea for a post, please send an email to: kyfamilypolicy [at] gmail [dot] com.
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