USDA announced $9 million in grants, funded through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, to help develop childhood obesity intervention programs through colleges and universities in 12 states and Puerto Rico.
"One-third of the children in the U.S. are overweight or obese, making this issue one of the greatest health challenges facing our nation," said Tom Vilsack, USDA secretary. "It is critical that we make the effort to help our children be healthy kids, and develop into healthy adults," said Vilsack.