Blue Cross and Blue Shield team with Pennington to fight obesity

Backed with several million dollars in grant funding, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation is challenging communities across Louisiana to address the staggering rise in obesity rates. The company is partnering with the Pennington Biomedical Research Center to administer a grant program called Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana. The challenge is being announced today at Pennington’s fourth annual Childhood Obesity Conference. The grant program will offer matching funds ranging from $250,000 to $1 million to nonprofit organizations for projects promoting healthy eating, active living and environmental change. “This represents a great example of a private–public partnership that can benefit all Louisianians,” says Dr. Peter Katzmarzyk, associate executive director for population science at the Pennington Center. According to the Centers for Disease Control and the Louisiana Obesity Council, Louisiana ranks fifth highest in the country for obesity; nearly half of the state’s residents are overweight, and almost one-third are obese. The foundation’s website at OurHomeLouisiana.org offers resources for program applicants, including ways to reach out to potential partners locally.