Rapid City Journal
By Chet Brokaw
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The state is enlisting the help of day care providers in a program aimed at reducing childhood obesity in South Dakota, Gov. Mike Rounds said Thursday.
The state will use a $150,000 grant from a foundation of Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota to start training day care providers in ways to encourage children to eat healthy foods and get more exercise, Rounds said in a news conference with acting U.S. Surgeon General Rear Adm. Steven Galson.
Most South Dakota mothers work outside the home, so many children spend time in child care centers, Rounds said. The program initially will train people who can train others who work in more than 200 day care facilities, he said.
"The goal is to increase access to vegetables, increase opportunities for physical activity, and reduce TV viewing," the governor said.