STATE GRANTS AIM TO COMBAT OBESITY

The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina)
October 19, 2004

The state has awarded grants totaling more than $225,000 to fund physical activity and healthy eating programs at 16 county health departments, the state Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday.

The money is funded through the Eat Smart, Move More ... North Carolina initiative, the N.C. Healthy Weight Initiative and the N.C. Division of Public Health. Funding goes to health departments in Alamance, Buncombe, Carteret, Chatham, Clay, Franklin, Granville-Vance, Henderson, Macon, Orange, Person, Robeson, Scotland, Stokes, Surry and Yadkin counties.

State health officials are working to encourage programs to combat obesity and being overweight, which affects two-thirds of people in the state. Programs aimed at curbing the epidemic include more healthful school lunches, safer community walkways, restaurant labels for healthful selections and workplace exercise promotions.