Purdue Extension studying preschool obesity

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Purdue Extension researchers are helping with a multi-state study that's seeking the causes of childhood obesity among preschoolers in the Midwest's rural areas.

The federally funded study led by Kansas State University is tracking low-income preschoolers in two counties each from Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Adams and Henry counties in eastern Indiana are the two Indiana counties chosen for the study that runs through March 2016.

Health coalitions in those counties are using observation, written assessments and parent surveys to assess the causes of childhood obesity and aid in the search for possible preventions of youthful weight problems.

Purdue Extension Assistant Director of Health And Human Science Angie Abbott says the study is structured to include members of "the whole community" in the counties.