LITTLE ROCK — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a $1.4 million grant for scientists to study why obesity rates in Arkansas are among the highest in the country.
The grant from the USDA's Agricultural Research Service was awarded to the Arkansas Children's Research Institute and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Researchers will analyze existing data to see what environmental factors predispose Arkansans to obesity then develop an in-depth survey to administer to parents of 200 children between the ages of 7 and 10.
The children involved in the study will also undergo fitness and activity testing.
Researchers hope the study will reveal the conditions specific to Arkansas that could be changed to reduce obesity rates.