By Katie Knapp Schubert
Omaha, NE – A $5.7 million grant is coming to Douglas County to encourage physical activity, healthy eating and obesity prevention initiatives.
The Douglas County Health Department received the federal grant Friday. It'll be put toward eight activities promoting physical activity and good nutrition. Mary Balluff, Chief of Community Health and Nutrition Services for the Health Department, says the physical activity component includes development of safe walking routes to school for children. It'll also go toward expansion of a bike loaner program at UNO.
Balluff says the grant will also be put toward development of farm-to-school programs, which encourage community gardens, and healthy corner stores. There's also a community awareness component.
One in three Douglas County children and nearly two-thirds of Douglas County adults are overweight or obese.