(AP) -- LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Agencies in Flint and the western Upper Peninsula will combat childhood obesity with grants provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Michigan Fitness Foundation says 41 communities nationwide will receive Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities grants of $360,000 each.
The focus in Flint, where one-third of students in grades 4 through 12 have infrequent physical activity, will be on making city parks a place where children can be active. The Crim Fitness Foundation and its partners will work to improve access to and maintenance of the parks.
The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department in Hancock will work with the Healthy Families Consortium to develop trails, bike routes, community gardens and farmers' markets. A recent study found that 22 percent of area 3- to 5-year-olds are classified as overweight or obese.
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
