Jun 20, 2018 | News
As schools wrap up another academic year, findings from a project aimed at improving the health of South Carolina’s children highlight the benefit parents and communities can gain by including physical activity in children’s schedules over the summer and beyond.
While positive steps have already been taken in South Carolina to address the issue, the state still faces a high childhood obesity rate. According to the SC FitnessGram project, nearly 37 percent of South Carolina’s youth are obese or overweight and almost half of them do not meet health-related standards for heart-lung fitness when tested on physical activities such as brisk walking or running.
This statewide effort to evaluate and improve health-related fitness among public school students is funded by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation as part of a partnership that includes the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), the South Carolina Department of Education and the University of South Carolina.
“The Foundation’s commitment to a healthier South Carolina starts by creating healthy habits in our children,” Foundation executive director Erika Kirby said. “We know that healthy students learn better. For the first time, we have statewide health-related fitness data that can be used to shape and support quality physical education efforts in South Carolina. We remain focused on the health of our children and will use these numbers as an example of the continued work to be done.”
While it has long been known that South Carolina has an obesity problem, this is the first time our state has compiled comprehensive data of this kind. Thanks to the statewide FitnessGram software and the partners that have collaborated on this effort, there is now a way of tracking the problem and, more importantly, of coming up with ways to combat it.
“The SC FitnessGram project provides important findings that are a great benefit to our state. It’s critical that we continue to support greater health-related fitness outcomes for our state’s K-12 students,” said USC President Harris Pastides.
During the 2016-2017 school year, over 100,000 students from over 700 schools in 60 school districts participated in the project. The program was administered by physical education teachers to students in the second, fifth and eighth grades and high school. FitnessGram assesses components of fitness that are known to be related to health outcomes in children and youth.
“The health and nutrition of South Carolina’s students has a strong impact on their future and productivity later in life,” said State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman. “The collaborative support from both the public and private sectors in the SC FitnessGram project has provided educators and communities with valuable data to make informed decisions about the well being of our young people. I look forward to continuing our work and ensuring that South Carolina students are prepared for success.”
Obesity has important consequences on South Carolina’s health and economy. The economic cost of obesity in S.C. is estimated at $8.5 billion per year and growing. Obese and overweight children are at risk for several serious health problems such as coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
“Increasing physical activity is a critical strategy to prevent childhood obesity and decrease the risk for numerous adverse health outcomes,” said Dr. Lilian Peake, DHEC director of Public Health. “Overcoming obesity is a significant challenge that South Carolinians must tackle together. It will take a concerted effort by parents, schools, community organizations, health care centers and others to help improve the health of our students.”
School-age youth need 60 minutes or more of physical activity every day. In an effort to encourage more physical activity among South Carolina’s youth, several recommendations have been developed that people can use at home, in schools, and around their communities.
The full SC FitnessGram report, as well as other information related to obesity and fitness, can be found on the SCaledown website at scaledown.org/fitnessgram.
For more information, contact:
- BlueCross Blue Shield of South Carolina Foundation: Shawn Skillman, Media Relations, (803) 264-2211, email: shawn.skillman@bcbssc.com
- South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control: Adrianna Bradley, Media Relations, (803) 898-3315, email: bradleal@dhec.sc.gov
- South Carolina Department of Education: Ryan Brown, Office of Communications and Governmental Affairs, (803) 734-5080, email: RyBrown@ed.sc.gov
- University of South Carolina: John Brunelli, Office of Communications and Public Affairs, (803) 777-3697, email: Brunelli@mailbox.sc.edu
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Jun 12, 2018 | News
The Duke Endowment is currently seeking new applications for Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas, a program to improve community health outcomes in North Carolina and South Carolina. This opportunity is designed to support up to five new or existing South Carolina community coalitions in their efforts to improve population health through:
- Applying the Collective Impact Framework;
- Enhancing community capacity to implement evidence-based interventions addressing physical activity/nutrition and early identification and prevention of chronic disease(s); and
- Monitoring performance metrics to spur improvement.
Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas is intended to drive improvement in outcomes and be transformative to community coalitions by enhancing the ability to build partnerships and applying new evidence-based approaches to optimize community health. View the complete RFP here.
Potential applicants must first participate in a one-hour webinar that provides an overview of the initiative and information about the application process. Applications will be sent only to those who participate in the webinar.
Applications are due to The Duke Endowment by 5:00 PM on July 2, 2018. Apply online here.
The Duke Endowment is working with the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA) to provide technical assistance for Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas. Questions? Contact Laura Cole, Manager of Care Transitions at SCHA, at 803.454.6968 or lcole@scha.org.
May 15, 2018 | Impact, Mini-Grant Projects, News
KELSEY ALLEN, MPH, CHES
“To see a child who doesn’t have what their little heart cries out for, that’s what saddens me. There needs to be something for those children. We need to have something to serve those with disabilities in our community,” says City of Laurens Councilwoman Sylvia Douglas.
Councilwoman Douglas first brought up the idea of having inclusive play equipment in the City of Laurens 10 years ago. At that time and until this year, there was no play equipment like this in the City of Laurens. One of the barriers that she was facing in seeing this move forward was cost.
According to Councilwoman Douglas, hospitality tax can often offset the cost of this equipment as it is a draw for parents of children with special needs, who live outside of the city, to bring their children to use the City of Laurens parks. Today, she is thrilled to know that there is a now a swing for children with physical disabilities at Little River Park in Laurens. It is her hope and intention that there will be more to come.
“I think this shows that we are enlightened to this issue and we are looking out for this part of our community,” she says.
Brie Holmes, Chair of the Eat Smart Move More Laurens County, is also excited for this wonderful resource to now be available in Laurens.
“Opportunities for physical activity should not be exclusive to those without physical limitations or special needs. Inclusion and accessibility should be included in every discussion around our built environment, playgrounds especially. Healthy adults start as healthy children, and healthy children get outside and play! Every child deserves that opportunity.”
Creating change in our communities is possible with perseverance and partnership. This would not have been possible without the support of the mayor and city council of Laurens. Additionally, the city administrator, the Laurens County Disabilities and Special Needs Board, and ESMM Laurens County also supported this project. If you feel passionate about seeing these types of changes in your community, be encouraged that change often doesn’t happen quickly, but it is certainly possible.
Thank you, Councilwoman Douglas and the rest of the City of Laurens for this great addition to the parks!
May 15, 2018 | HYPE Civic Action Projects, Impact, News
TRIMEASE K. CARTER, MSW
Over the past three years, community leaders in the small town of Clover, located in York County, have been motivated to make their community healthier. They’ve been taking steps to increase access to healthy foods and physical activity in various settings. Even a group of teens at Blue Eagle Academy joined the movement to impact their school community and surrounding neighborhoods positively.
The York County Healthy Young People Empowerment (HYPE) team, made of up of students at Blue Eagle Academy who are also members of the Boys and Girls Club of York County, are focusing on increasing access to physical activity at their school and Junior Eagle Academy. They formed in 2015 as a result of the Let’s Go! South Carolina Initiative.
During the first phase of their HYPE project, they completed a beautification project in the courtyard of their school to create a more pleasant and safer environment. Through this project, which was a continuation of an initiative initially started with Lowe’s Home Improvement, youth refurbished flowerbeds, donated outdoor vases and plants and cleaned overgrown areas. Students can now enjoy outdoor activities in the courtyard.
In addition to the beautification project, the Youth Team donated portable play equipment to the Junior Blue Eagle Academy, which serves grades 3-5. During a planning session, the HYPE Team learned there wasn’t enough play equipment available for all of the students, so they wanted to do something to help. The team used some of their available funds to donate soccer balls, playballs, basketballs, hula-hoops, a flag football set, and storage equipment to the Junior Academy.
According to their lead adult advisor Rasheeda White, “When we presented the equipment to the school principal and lead teacher, they were surprised and happy to receive it. The students were happy too!”
Due to the successes of their first project, the HYPE Team received additional support for a continuation project to focus on a track and field located between the two schools. The school district has an open community use policy, which allows community members to outdoor recreational areas outside of school hours. Because the community uses the track and field for physical activity, and students use it during and after school, the HYPE Team knew they wanted to make improvements.
The HYPE Team recognized that keeping the dog-friendly area clean helps attract more walkers and runners, so they made cleanliness a high priority. In addition to the team keeping the area clean with litter pick-up on Thursdays, they will soon be adding doggie waste stations equipped with bags for dog walkers to use. The team will also be making basketball court improvements, such as purchasing and installing new nets and goals.
The York County HYPE Team is a true testament to the effectiveness of youth engagement. Not only did youth take the appropriate to steps to successfully advocate for outdoor improvements, but they also learned the importance of social responsibility and helping others.
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May 15, 2018 | News
Providing youth and adults with an inspiring and engaging experience at the Youth Summit requires quality speakers and a guaranteed enjoyable time. That’s what this year’s headliner does every day. National award-winning training agency Leading to Change out of North Carolina will help lead a day of inspirational messages and skill-building experiences for South Carolina’s youth at the 6th Annual Youth Summit on July 27th in Columbia.
“We’re looking forward to having Leading to Change facilitate the Youth Summit,” says Trimease K. Carter, Youth Engagement Manager at ESMMSC. “They will provide a fun, highly interactive experience filled with laughter, music, and engaging breakout sessions.”
Leading to Change will provide two breakout sessions geared towards leadership skills and diversity. PLAYING WITH FIRE: Conflict, Communication, and your TRUE COLORS of Leadership will help participants identify their leadership style and learn how to work better with others. BEYOND RACE: Diversity, Culture, and Our Commonalities You Can’t See will address how to think outside of the racial divide and see people for their cultural backgrounds rather than their race.
“These two breakout sessions speak directly to what we address in The HYPE Project – working together to achieve a common goal,” says Carter. “Our youth will build a leadership foundation that can be used in their communities to achieve success.”
The Youth Summit is open to all youth who are interested in making their voice stronger and those who are involved with youth-serving organizations. Adults leaders and ESMMSC community partners are also invited to attend. Registration is open now through July 20th.
“If you haven’t experienced Leading to Change, then you might want to make plans to attend the Youth Summit on Friday, July 27th in Columbia,” says Carter. “I’ve attended one of their trainings, and I can honestly say that it was the most engaging and fun training I’ve ever attended. I think our youth and adult attendees will highly enjoy spending a day away from home and work.”
Apr 17, 2018 | HYPE Civic Action Projects, Impact, News
For decades, youth have led social movements across the United States. They’ve been in the news a lot, lately, speaking out against and for issues that are important to them. But, did you know that youth have been leading a healthy eating and active living movement here in South Carolina? It’s called the Healthy Young People Empowerment (HYPE) Project, and youth are finding out just how powerful their voices are, especially in Laurens County.
Through a community health improvement project, the Laurens County HYPE Team, hosted by Bridging the Gap Advocacy, a non-profit that addresses youth development, and in partnership with Eat Smart Move More South Carolina, recognized that their community isn’t as safe as it should be. They identified one of many important areas of need: safe passages near Sanders Middle School.
Like many adult-led community coalitions, youth ranging in ages 12-17, set out to make a difference in their community. They conducted a walkability assessment near Sanders Middle School, developed an action plan, and rallied to present their findings and request for improvement to the Laurens County Council. Youth asked County Council to make the area surrounding the middle school safer for students to walk, through the addition of sidewalks, street lamps, stoplights, crossing guards, and signage. Council agreed to purchase warning signs near the school. This success was just the tip of the iceberg, and they’re not giving up on the rest of their safety requests. They want to encourage decision makers to do more to make the area safer around the school.
These up-and-coming young leaders in Laurens County are continuing their mission of making their community a healthier place to live. They’ve already worked with a local master gardener, started a community garden, and given the harvest to residents. Plus, they received permission to revitalize an abandoned baseball field and built community support for improvements to make it a safe place to be physically active. Bridging the Gap Advocacy has held kickball tournaments and other physical activity events for the community at the new and improved field.
Youth plan to follow up with County Council regarding requests for making school safety a priority; host an after-school walk to Bridging the Gap Advocacy and invite decision makers to participate; start a petition regarding improvements near the school; and design and send postcards to decision makers regarding the need for improvements.
Through the HYPE Project, middle- and high school-aged students are learning how to become effective advocates for change in their communities. There are currently 13 HYPE teams in South Carolina; the majority of these teams are focused on safe and accessible places to be physically active and nutrition. Youth like the Laurens County HYPE Team are making change happen!
Apr 17, 2018 | Impact, Mini-Grant Projects, News
Kelsey Allen, MPH, CHES
Manager for Community Initiatives
Sit and wait. That’s the usual routine for parents and guardians of car riders at most schools. Dropping off and picking up children takes a lot of time, especially for parents who like to get there early. Listening to the radio or catching up on social media burns time, but there’s a healthier alternative in Anderson School District 4.
Because Anderson School District 4 is a health-conscience school district, personnel had the bright idea of encouraging parents to get out of their cars and spend that precious wait time walking. How much more active would that make parents? How much of a good influence would it be on the children to see their parents out walking when they leave school for the day?
With this in mind, Anderson School District 4 partnered with Eat Smart Move More (ESMM) Anderson County and the United Way of Anderson County to create and post signage that encourages parents to get out and walk during this time of day. ESMM Anderson County was one of six communities selected to receive funding from ESMM South Carolina over a three-year period, through a grant from the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Using these funds, 
ESMM Anderson County purchased and installed signs at schools in Anderson School District 4.
Five different signs prompting Did You Know questions and answers were created:
- Walking one mile can burn almost 100 calories.
- Walking one mile a day can improve your mental health, boost your mood, and make you feel more alert.
- You can burn 100 calories just by walking for 15 minutes.
- Walking decreases your risk for high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and leads to a longer life!
- Small changes make a big difference. Stop idling and get active!
Since the installation of the signs, school personnel have observed parents moving more during the pick-up wait time. School and community cultures of health are built on small steps such as these that encourage healthy behaviors, raise awareness, and decrease barriers. The partnership between ESMM Anderson County and Anderson School District 4 is a great example of two entities with a common goal can work together and come up with a creative solution. Here’s to a healthier District 4 and Anderson County!
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Apr 16, 2018 | News
Eat Smart Move More South Carolina (ESMMSC) is pleased to announce the selection of Phillip Ford as the Manager of Policy, Advocacy, and Community Support. Phil brings extensive experience in the nonprofit, political, and healthy eating and active living fields. He replaces Hannah Walters, who moved out of state.
As the Manager of Policy, Advocacy, and Community Support, Phil will work closely with ESMMSC’s Advocacy Committee to implement advocacy and policy initiatives related to healthy eating and active living at the state and local levels. He will also oversee the Healthy Vending in Public Places Campaign, and will also connect advocacy efforts with community coalitions and state partners. Also, Phil will be involved in the Let’s Go! 3.0 project and provide technical support to various community coalitions around the state.
“I am optimistic that we can create a healthier South Carolina through healthy eating and active living by one idea, one person and one community at a time,” says Phil.
A native of Orangeburg, he attended The Citadel, where he majored in Political Science with a focus in American Government. After spending nearly a decade out of state working on Presidential to City Council races across the country, Phil wanted to come back home to help his state and community. He most recently worked as the grant writer at The Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg, where he successfully wrote grants that amounted in nearly 1.5 million dollars of funding for the hospital system in a year and a half. He was also actively involved in the Eat Smart Move More Orangeburg-Bamberg-Calhoun chapter.
Phillip enjoys playing tennis, participating in local theatre groups, and volunteering his time for the improvement of his local communities. Currently, Phillip serves on the boards of directors for the Orangeburg-Calhoun Free Medical Clinic and the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center.
If you would like to reach Phil, please email him at phil@eatsmartmovemoresc.org.
Apr 13, 2018 | News
Who’s a healthy eating active living leader in your community? They can be instrumental on any level of community work. Leaders may be a local planner or city manager that is committed to healthy bikeways and walkways, because it is good for health and economic development. It may be a superintendent of a school who is committed to a robust wellness plan for schools, because a healthy school environment is good for students. It may be a young person who is working with peers to create permanent change to create better access to fresh fruits and vegetables, or more safe places for families to be physically active.
Tell us about a healthy eating active living leader in your community. We’ll spotlight them in our newsletter, on our website, and at the Leadership Summit for Healthy Communities in October. Nominate them by completing the survey. To nominate more than one person, you must complete a separate form. Just click on the original link in your email and nominate more!
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE YOUR NOMINATION
