The ACT government is offering community groups, schools and not-for-profit organisations a share in $2 million for programs to tackle obesity and promote health weight.
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Health Minister Simon Corbell said Canberra, like the rest of Australia, was suffering from an obesity epidemic.
"One in four year 6 kids in Canberra is overweight or obese," he said.
"There are a whole range of conditions brought on by obesity – diabetes, heart problems, a whole range of conditions that are potentially preventable through healthier lifestyles so focussing on programs that will encourage people to adopt healthier diets and lifestyles are key to stopping this tsunami of demand that is heading towards our health system if we don't tackle the obesity crisis."
Expressions of interest are now open for the third round of the Health Canberra Grants program. Grants are also available for programs tackling tobacco and excessive alcohol use.
Thirteen programs have shared in nearly $4 million worth of grants awarded by the government in the previous two rounds.
The Heart Foundation received funding for its LiveLighter program through the Healthy Canberra Grants last year.
LiveLighter is an anti-obesity campaign that originated in WA in 2012.
LiveLighter campaign manager Jennifer Ramsay said the government grant allowed the program to come to Canberra.
"When we heard about the Healthy Canberra Grants, we thought it was a great opportunity to carry Livelighter over to the ACT," she said.
Mr Corbell said the allocation of grants would be determined "based on the quality and range of proposals put to the government".
An information session on Healthy Canberra Grants will be held at the Hellenic Club on February 10 from 4pm.
