Wisconsin wins grant to combat childhood obesity

From the Department of Public Instruction

Governor Jim Doyle and State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster announced that Wisconsin has won a competitive national grant to fight childhood obesity.

Wisconsin was one of 15 states to receive Healthy Kids, Healthy America awards from the National Governors Association, which chose to fully fund the state’s request for $100,000.

“We are pleased that the NGA has recognized the work being done here in Wisconsin, and we will use this grant to continue our efforts to reduce the rates of overweight and obesity among our youngest citizens,” Doyle said. “We are helping our schools teach students about the choices they can make for a healthier lifestyle and ultimately reduce childhood obesity in Wisconsin.”

The funding will go toward the Healthier Wisconsin Schools initiative and will support the Governor’s School Health Award initiative. Begun during the 2005-06 school year, the Governor’s School Health Award has already been given to 39 schools around the state. The grant also will support research, evaluation, and the development of recommendations to reduce childhood obesity, which will be shared with partners throughout Wisconsin.

“Schools in Wisconsin are working hard to create and maintain healthy school environments, and this grant from the NGA will help them go even farther,” Burmaster said. “A healthy school environment, where students are encouraged to make healthier choices and to be more physically active, helps them to achieve their full academic potential as well as supporting them in developing lifelong healthy behaviors.”

The grant will fund work to help Wisconsin achieve the following goals:

• Increase the number of Wisconsin school-age children who eat the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables.
• Increase the number of Wisconsin school-age children who meet daily physical activity recommendations.
• Decrease the number of Wisconsin school-age children who are overweight or at risk for becoming overweight.

The Healthy Kids, Healthy America award focuses on state planning efforts in schools and communities to advance healthy lifestyles among children. Healthier Wisconsin is a project of a partnership including the governor’s office, the departments of Public Instruction and Health and Family Services, the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health, UW Population Health Institute, and the Wisconsin Sports Foundation.

Posted November 1, 2007