CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - Child obesity grants for Longview ISD

Child obesity grants for Longview ISD

By ShaVonne Herndon

Longview, Texas (KYTX)

One in five children in the us is overweight. Thousands of dollars will go towards computers and instructional material for teachers, but one grant called can we do it yes Wii can grant, will help purchase Wii systems to help motivate kids to exercise.

Amy Anderson has no idea what's in store for her and her students. Longview I.S.D. selected Anderson among other teachers, to help improve fitness and child wellness within the district.

"We need to have a greater impact on the kids and this is what the grant is for," Anderson explained. "To teach them how to take care of themselves."

For one Anderson said kids need to learn how to eat better, "Maybe to teach their parents what kind of things they need to eat. They are going to keep journals next year, will learn some new exercises that they can take home and show their parents."

All in an effort to curtail a bigger issue at hand, child obesity. Karen Wilson runs towards her check.

The amount maybe a lot adds Wilson, "A little bit more than five-thousand dollars that we wouldn't have access to otherwise, gosh we are so thankful to the L.I.S.D. foundation."

That appreciation and a few dollars will be spent on Wii game systems. "Interest and likes can meet physical fitness," said Wilson. "So it will keep them a little bit more active simply because it's a Wii."

Many of the P.E. teachers will be receiving new gyms next year and said this incentive is definitely icing on the cake.