National Grant to Fight Obesity in Kids Locally

By Carlet Cleare

Rochester, NY – The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a national health and health care organization, has awarded the Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency with a four-year grant to further its Healti Kids program.

The Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency has been awarded a four-year, $360,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The funds will expand FLHSA's Healthi Kids Initiative.

The program helps overweight kids access healthy and affordable foods, and offer ways for them to get exercise.

Rachel Pickering is the program coordinator for the Healthi Kids. She says the funding will help particularly in two areas.

"Looking at safe and accessible play areas for kids the child care community and what kinds of supports are provided to, not only institutional child care settings, but the child care provider," Pickering says. "How to provide healthy meals, and incentives, and financial support to increase the nutrition within those centers or institutions."

Pickering says 40% of Rochester children between the ages of two and 18 are obese and 25% in Monroe County.

Rochester is one of 41 cities across the country chosen for the national grant.

Grant criteria for organizations include having a strong vision, community support and a commitment to sustainable change in their community.