CSG is working with teams in Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. Data show that those states have the highest childhood obesity rates in the nation. CSG also targeted them to be part of SCORE because those states demonstrated a serious commitment to reducing childhood obesity levels, according to SCORE Project Director Pam Goins.

“In selecting teams to be involved with the SCORE program, it was critical to reach out to those states that not only had the highest need but also realized the magnitude of the epidemic,” Goins said. “The six states chosen have been addressing the issue programmatically and were poised to take the next step of educating policymakers on effective legislation for the state.”

Dire reports indicate that we may be raising the first generation of American who will live sicker and die younger than their parents. Childhood obesity rates have been on the rise for decades and may lead to more cases of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and other diseases. Working with Leadership for Healthy Communities, CSG is providing each SCORE state with $10,000 to fund obesity reduction projects and to create action plans to reduce childhood obesity in their states. States will implement the following projects by the end of September 2009:

Kentucky: Working with Partnership for a Fit KY, health and education leaders in the state will create a portfolio of obesity reduction policies to distribute to state legislators and other policymakers. This SCORE project also will include a policy summit in May to address obesity reduction efforts.

North Carolina: State health and education leaders will provide a series of summits for local boards of education members, state boards of education members and state legislators to discuss the connection between obesity levels and student dropout rates.

South Carolina: The South Carolina Eat Smart Move More Coalition will create a pilot program, working with five child care centers, to encourage better nutrition and increased physical activity for preschool children. The project will also involve educating policymakers about childhood obesity-related issues.

Tennessee:  Lewis County, a rural school district in western Tennessee, will receive support to create a wellness center that will be shared by an elementary and middle school. School staff will be monitoring student fitness and body mass index to determine how effective the center has been in increasing student health. The data will be used to support a statewide effort through a public-private partnership to increase access to physical activity for students across the state.

Texas: Project leaders will provide awards to five local school districts that have exemplary school health advisory councils. Information about the model councils and their policies will be shared with other schools in the state.

West Virginia: Two school districts will receive financial support to replace soft drinks and sport drinks in schools with more nutritious beverages and to make other environmental changes such as creating walking paths or establishing physical activity clubs.

CSG will monitor states’ progress and provide technical assistance as states implement their strategic action plans. CSG also will provide state elected and appointed officials examples of effective programs and policies in these and other states that result in providing children with a more healthful environment in schools and communities.

For more information, contact Pam Goins at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or at 859-244-8142.

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The Council of State Governments is the only national organization serving all three branches of state government. CSG is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. This offers unparalleled regional, national and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships.

Leadership for Healthy Communities is a $10 million national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that supports state and local government leaders in efforts to reduce childhood obesity through public policies that promote active living, healthy eating and access to healthy foods.