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Appalachian Regional Commission To Tackle Childhood Obesity
By: Associated Press
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UPDATE 2:05 p.m. Church, state and federal groups are banding together with community partners in the latest effort to tackle child obesity in West Virginia.
The Appalachian Regional Commission on Tuesday announced a partnership with Save the Children's Campaign for Healthy Kids.
The efforts will include partnerships with churches of multiple denominations, the state Department of Education and the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health.
Officials say the groups plan to implement community-based wellness policies and increase the number of nutritious meals available to at-risk youth during the summer. They also will enlist church-run childcare programs for healthy feeding programs.
Appalachian Regional Commission Federal Co-Chair Earl F. Gohl says a $72,000 grant from the ARC will help churches, schools and other groups in West Virginia develop these partnerships.
Several state, federal and local groups are coming together to tackle childhood obesity in Appalachia.
The Appalachian Regional Commission is scheduled to announce its plan to bring First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" initiative to the region through a partnership with Save the Children's Campaign for Healthy Kids. The announcement is set to take place on Tuesday in Charleston.
The efforts also will include partnerships with Faith United to End Childhood Obesity, the West Virginia Department of Education, the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, and the United Methodist Appalachian Ministry.
Officials say the groups will work to implement community-based wellness policies and create summer feeding sites that provide nutritious meals to at-risk youth. They also will enlist church-run childcare programs to ensure the children attending receive healthy food.