MISSISSIPPI AWARDED GRANT TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Funding comes as part of NGA's Healthy Kids, Healthy America program

(JACKSON, Mississippi) - Mississippi is one of ten states to receive a $100,000 grant from the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) to enhance efforts in schools and communities to fight childhood obesity, Governor Haley Barbour announced today.

"This is great news for Mississippi, which is quickly becoming a national leader in the fight against obesity. I'm pleased the NGA Center has recognized our ongoing efforts to address the critical issue of promoting healthy habits among children, and I know this money will be a great tool in helping to achieve our goal of a healthier Mississippi," Governor Barbour said.

According to the NGA Center, the $100,000 grant will be used to help advance or accelerate existing childhood obesity initiatives. In Mississippi, these initiatives include:

• "Mississippi Healthy Students Act," which was signed into law by Governor Barbour during the last Legislative Session. The Act requires public schools to provide increased amounts of physical activity and health education instruction for K-8th grade students;
• "Let's Go Walkin' Mississippi," which is designed to get Mississippians of all ages active and to raise awareness of the benefits of exercise. To date, nearly 23,000 packets and pedometers have been sent to individuals, churches, schools, and businesses to encourage healthy choices; and
• Healthier choices at school: Governor Barbour supported the move by State Superintendent Hank Bounds and the Board of Education to allow only healthy products in school vending machines.

Today's award announcements come as part of NGA's Healthy Kids, Healthy America program, which encourages governors and senior state leaders to increase physical activity, improve nutrition and prevent obesity among America's children. Funding for these grants was made possible by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In order to support this grant award many individuals have contributed to conducting an environmental scan to identify the many initiatives that are taking place in Mississippi to address childhood obesity.