U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S .D.) announced Tuesday that federal funding he secured for South Dakota State University's Obesity Research Group (SDSU-ORG ) is on its way.

The grant of nearly $119,000 will fund an SDSU study of the disease by the research group. Johnson, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, requested and secured the award.

SDSU-ORG's mission is to conduct basic and applied interdisciplinary research to prevent and treat obesity among rural Americans. The study has a special emphasis on obesity in children.

SDSU-ORG is a group of physicians, social scientists and Extension specialists. Collaborators from Native American colleges and private research organizations are being invited to participate in the obesity study as well.

"This funding will help SDSU lead the way in research and treatment for a disease that is one of the biggest health problems in rural America obesity," Johnson said. "I am pleased to see SDSU will expand their research efforts again "¦ and that this group will try to find answers to the cause of obesity epidemic by including members of the communities most affected by obesity ."

The funding was passed as a part of the in the Omnibus spending bill by the Senate in December.