Obesity grant to fund park improvements

LIMA - A $70,000 obesity prevention grant will help fund improvements at and around Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center Park.

The Allen County Health Department received the Office of Healthy Ohio grant, part of $1.1 million for 14 local health departments to reduce the risk of obesity in their communities.

Allen County received an environmental change grant, targeted to enhance opportunities for activity.

The health department partnered with the city of Lima and Allen County Health Partners for the grant, health department Education Director Kathy Luhn said.

"We'll spend the winter months planning and make the improvements this spring," Luhn said. "We're excited to have the grant and looking forward to spring."

Earlier this year, the city and Allen County Health Partners dedicated a new multipurpose path at the park next to the health center.

Nearly two-thirds of Ohioans are overweight or obese, making Ohio the fifth heaviest state in the nation, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Poor nutrition and physical inactivity are driving an obesity problem leading to preventable illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes and increasing health care costs, Ohio Health Department Director Alvin D. Jackson said.