The group will provide nearly $215,000 over the next three years to build a Web site that will become a major clearinghouse for obesity information in New Hampshire

The Web site will be built by the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension as part of its Lighten Up NH! campaign. The overall campaign is designed to help citizens improve their health and quality of life through healthful eating and a physically active lifestyle, according to the press release.

The group cites a recent survey finding that among the state’s elementary school-age children in 2004, 22 percent of boys and 18 percent of girls are overweight.

When complete, the Web site will help obesity activists get involved by joining task forces, sharing their success stories, finding peer support, learning about the latest obesity research and creating new initiatives, says the press release. The Web site will identify, organize and integrate current information and working groups, from school-based initiatives to community programs, from research to public policy discussions.

The HNHfoundation is a private health foundation committed to evaluating and promoting access to health care insurance and promoting healthy lifestyles for the residents of New Hampshire. For more information, visit www.hnhfoundation.org.