Published: August 23, 2009 11:24 pm      

Obesity grants awarded to area schools

HARRISBURG — Three Johnstown-area middle schools are among 40 statewide selected to receive federally-funded Active School grants for the 2009-10 school year under a new initiative to curb childhood obesity, it was announced Thursday.

Schools receiving Active School grants include Cambria Heights Middle School, Greater Johnstown Middle School and Shanksville-Stonycreek High School.

Each school will receive a $5,000 grant from the Department of Health.

In addition, each will receive $10,000 from an organization in their region.

These organizations include Highmark and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health Plan.

“Schools are ideal settings to increase physical activity. New studies document the strong relationship of physical fitness to school attendance and academic performance,” Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak said.

“The research also suggests that dedicating more time for physical activity does not hinder academic performance, and may actually improve cognitive function and attention in the classroom.”