Former President Bill Clinton announced that his foundation, in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, will spend $8 million on the pilot phase of an anti-childhood obesity program. Almost 300 schools in 13 states have been identified to participate in the pilot, which will include improving the nutritional quality of food served in school, increasing physical education classes, and promoting wellness consciousness for both students and staffers.
"What we want to do is to create a national recognition program shining a spotlight on schools that have done a good job, with concrete, innovative steps to create healthier learning environments for children and healthier work environments for staff," Clinton said.
The former president, who has struggled with a weight problem since childhood and has had heart bypass surgery, has been working with the American Heart Association in developing anti-obesity programs. Also involved is Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican, who serves as co-chairman for what has been called the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Like Clinton, Huckabee also had a serious weight problem and lost more than 100 pounds after being diagnosed with Type II diabetes.
"What we want to do is to create a national recognition program shining a spotlight on schools that have done a good job, with concrete, innovative steps to create healthier learning environments for children and healthier work environments for staff," Clinton said.
The former president, who has struggled with a weight problem since childhood and has had heart bypass surgery, has been working with the American Heart Association in developing anti-obesity programs. Also involved is Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican, who serves as co-chairman for what has been called the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Like Clinton, Huckabee also had a serious weight problem and lost more than 100 pounds after being diagnosed with Type II diabetes.
- KC's View:
