Fifteen states have been awarded up to $110,000 to establish programs aimed at preventing childhood obesity. Up to $100,000 will be awarded for proposals that focus on preventing childhood obesity through policy and environmental change; up to $10,000 will be awarded to conduct a statewide scan of efforts to address childhood obesity. The grant program began in the fall of 2007 and will continue into the fall of 2008.

The Healthy Kids, Healthy America program was made possible through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Please click on the state names for one-page project summaries.

Indiana
Indiana is establishing a multi-year statewide program to increase fruit and vegetable intake and participation in physical activity among children.

Kentucky
Kentucky is developing Activity Zones in daycare facilities for preschool-aged children to promote physical activity and healthy eating habits throughout the state.

Louisiana
Louisiana is creating an action plan to implement the Wellness Policy in public elementary and middle school settings.

Michigan
Michigan will expand current childhood obesity initiatives and create a five-year policy agenda to increase access to healthy foods and physical activity among children.

Minnesota
Minnesota plans to pilot-test school wellness policies through mini-grants targeting children at high-risk for obesity in school districts with a high percentage of free and reduced lunch.

Mississippi
Mississippi is working to create healthy school environments through the MS Preventing Obesity with Every Resource (POWER) Project to reduce childhood obesity.

New Mexico
New Mexico plans to create healthy environments for low-income children in schools, homes, and the healthcare and food systems by increasing access, opportunities and resources to nutrition and physical activity.

New York
New York is collaborating with groups such as the YMCA and the Alliance of Boys and Girls Club to promote better nutrition and physical activity policies in after-school settings.

Rhode Island
Rhode Island is restructuring its school environments to promote healthy nutrition and physical activity and creating safe routes to schools in low-income communities.

South Dakota
South Dakota is providing grants to schools and after-school programs with high rates of overweight and American Indian populations to promote healthy eating and physical activity to prevent childhood obesity.

Tennessee
Tennessee will establish the “Gold Sneaker Initiative” to promote healthy eating and physical activity among children and youth in public and private child care facilities.

Utah
Utah is working with schools to increase opportunities for children to participate in physical activity and to limit foods used at school for rewards and parties.

Virginia
Virginia is using the Governor's Nutrition and Physical Activity Scorecard to assess schools' childhood obesity prevention policies and incorporating the Virginia Wellness Related Fitness Test (VWRFT).

West Virginia
West Virginia is requiring a HealthCheck exam for all students entering kindergarten, third, sixth, and ninth grades.

Wisconsin
Wisconsin plans to use the Governor's School Health Award, which will recognize schools that improve their nutrition and physical activity environment, as a pilot program to determine if this is an effective method for policy and environmental change.