N.H. WIC program wins $340k grant

The Women, Infants and Children Program, or WIC, in New Hampshire has been awarded a $340,000 special projects grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The three-year grant will fund a FitWIC Project focusing on reducing obesity and increasing physical activity in preschool children who have been enrolled in the state Department of Health and Human Services’ WIC nutrition program.

Mary Ann Cooney, director of the state’s Public Health Services division, said that many of the Granite State’s children are overweight and the percentage of obesity is increasing in children aged 10 to 17 years.

“Programs such as WIC are ideal settings to work with preschool children and their parents on healthy lifestyles, including regular physical activity and healthy eating,” said Cooney. — CINDY KIBBE