New center battles childhood bulge

In an effort to help America's youth slim down, Children's Mercy Hospitals and KU will join forces with the inception of a new center. The Center for Physical Activity, Nutrition and Weight Management will aim at helping the 24.3 percent of Kansas children and 32 percent of Missouri children who are classified as obese.

"Childhood obesity is a national and a local crisis," said KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway. "Helping children establish healthier eating and active physical habits early in life will have a significant impact on the overall well-being of our community, our state and our economy."

Scheduled to open within the next 18 months, the 14,000-square-foot facility will be on the second floor of the Don Chisholm Center at 22nd and Holmes. New director Joseph E. Donnelly will oversee research, treatment and community outreach programs, with the goal of serving 30,000 children in the first five years. A natural fit for the position, Donnelly currently works as the director of KU's Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management at the Life Span Institute and has received $10 million in National Institutes of Heath grants for his research since 2000.

The Hall Family Foundation and The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation provided key funding for the project, $4 million and $1 million respectively. The University set an initial goal of raising $5 million for the project, which includes the Kansas City Community donation to KU Endowment.