Ag department joins obesity battle

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Obesity is on the rise in Texas, and the Texas Department of Agriculture has handed out grants to local school to help combat it.

Schools in Texas now have their share of $810,000 to go towards obesity prevention and nutrition programs.

"Taxpayers are picking up the tab for poor eating choices," said Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples.

“If we are going to win the battle against obesity and its costly effect on our citizens, we must engage Texans of all ages to take personal responsibility to live a healthy lifestyle."

• List of recipients

Obesity in Texas is growing at an alarming rate, and according to the Texas Department of State Health Services if there is no intervention by the year 2040 at least 75 percent of adults in Texas will be overweight.

One program, called "You Got 2 Move," has already been established. The 52-week program involves education around the topic of obesity and provides fitness activities for children. The program let's parents in on how their children are doing and it also gives information and activities to do to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Max Taylor, The president and CEO of Advance Child Care Inc. weighed in on the projects saying:

“Nutritional curriculum that accomplishes these objectives, along with nutritional guidance to the parent, will go a long way toward the fight against childhood obesity,” Max Taylor, The president and CEO of Advance Child Care Inc