COLUMBUS — The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s report on youth obesity also highlights on-the-ground action that several communities are taking to help children grow at a healthy weight.

Leaders in Columbus, Boston, San Antonio and Washington state are featured for their innovative efforts to improve access to healthy foods and

opportunities for children and families to be active.

In Columbus, advocates and organizations have been working together to provide children with the earliest possible opportunities to develop healthy habits.

The Growing Healthy Kids Columbus Coalition, facilitated by Columbus Public Health, leads a local campaign called Water First for Thirst, which is focused on making water the easy, appealing and first beverage choice for children and families across the city.

The campaign has improved access to free drinking water at child care centers, schools, Columbus Public Health and Women, Infants and Children nutrition offices. Nationwide Children’s Hospital has even eliminated all sugary drinks from its campus and reduced the price of bottled water.

“Water First for Thirst is a great, simple way for families to make one affordable decision to drink more water and to make that one step to being a little bit healthier,” said Hannah Bills, Growing Healthy Kids program director at Columbus Public Health.