Stout Announces Grants to Tackle Childhood Obesity

EIGHTY FOUR, January 8, 2009 – State Sen. J. Barry Stout today announced that grants are now available online for schools and youth-focused, community-based programs in Pennsylvania to help with the fight against pediatric obesity.

“As health care continues to be a major issue because of rising prices and declining coverage, I am thrilled to present this opportunity to impact hundreds of children in Pennsylvania and improve their health,” Stout said.  “These grants will allow communities to design a program specifically for their children and empower them to lead healthy lives.”

Stout (D- Allegheny/Beaver/Greene/Washington/Westmoreland) explained 30 percent of young people are obese.  Overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.  These statistics need to be taken very seriously since obesity can lead to many other diseases, including heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis and some cancers.

Stout said that grants of $500 and $1000 are being offered to teachers, school- based service-learning coordinators and students in the health professions to implement semester-long service-learning projects that help combat pediatric obesity.  Applications are due before midnight of Thursday, January 12, 2009.

Stout added that Unison Health Plain and UnitedHealth Group are partnering with Youth Service America to launch this campaign to encourage children to become “Health Care Heroes.”

Please visit www.senatorstout.com for more information and to download an application.

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