Local Communities Receive $1.1 Million To Fight Obesity, OHIO

“The Office of Healthy Ohio (OHO) recently granted more than $1.1 million to 14 local health departments to help reduce the risk of obesity in their respective communities. Poor nutrition and physical inactivity are driving an obesity epidemic that leads to preventable illness such as heart disease and diabetes as well as skyrocketing health care costs. Awarded Oct. 17, the 2008 Healthy Ohio Obesity Prevention grants are designed to help communities protect and improve the health of their residents through environmental change, community expansion and capacitybuilding efforts. In order to fight obesity, communities need to increase opportunities to provide for more physical activity, access to nutritious foods and motivation to live healthier lives. Obesity-reduction and prevention efforts are especially important because nearly two-thirds of Ohio's residents are overweight (38 percent) or obese (28 percent), making Ohio the fifth-heaviest state in the nation. ‘Good nutrition and ample physical activity lead to better quality of life, assure a more productive workforce and contribute to a more efficient and cost effective use of medical services,’ said Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Alvin D. Jackson, M.D. ‘Partnerships such as this award program

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/127463.php will help make Ohio the state of living well for all residents.’”