Governor Phil Bryant and Patrick House, winner of season 10 of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” were at Warren Central Intermediate School Tuesday to kick off House’s Lean on Me campaign for the Vicksburg Warren School District.

Aimed at addressing both childhood obesity and bullying, the Lean on Me program stresses schoolwide participation for encouragement and positivity.

House previously visited St. Francis Xavier Elementary to implement the program.

“We work with kids on making sure that they’re treating their friends and classmates how they want to be treated,” House said. “The unity and team-building aspect is extremely important.”

Mississippi is tops in the nation in obesity rates, with 35 percent of residents obese. In 1991, 15 percent of the state’s residents were obese. An obese person generates about 40 percent more medical costs than a non-obese person, according to the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

House said attacking obesity at an early age was the best way to encourage healthy eating and exercise habits.

“I’m hoping that’s what I’m able to do with Lean on Me, is to go into schools and inspire and motivate the kids to do just what I’ve done to take those steps to living the healthy lifestyle,” House said. “Whether you have 200 pounds to lose like me or 10 pounds to lose, it’s never too late to start.”

Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Swinford said House’s program goes well with the district’s previous efforts at addressing childhood obesity such as removing deep-fat fryers and promoting exercise and healthy lifestyle choices.

“We were thrilled he came back home to do that,” Swinford said. “It really ties in with our plan to educate the students about healthy eating and exercise habits. This just supports what we already have in place.”

House thanked Bryant, saying it would take a top-down effort for Mississippi to address the obesity epidemic.

“It was great today to have Governor Bryant come out and recognize the Lean on Me program,” House said. “He and I are going to partner together and we’re going to make a difference in the childhood obesity statistics.”