Johnson Center researcher gets grant to evaluate childhood obesity program

Amber Erickson, a research manager at Grand Valley’s Johnson Center for Philanthropy, has been awarded a grant from Spectrum Health United Hospitals to fund a second year of research into the effectiveness of childhood obesity programs in rural West Michigan. 

The program is called the Spectrum Health Rural FitKids360, and is a federally-funded program through the Health Resources and Services Administration. The program aims to expand delivery of health care services in rural areas, specifically reducing childhood obesity in Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola counties.

Erickson’s grant will allow the Johnson Center’s Community Research Institute to continue evaluating FitKids360’s progress toward its goals of improving weight status, decreasing screen time, and increasing physical activity and nutrition knowledge.