Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation continues support of 国产麻豆AV鈥檚 healthy campus initiatives
Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擳he Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is continuing its support of Mississippi State as the university builds on a culture of healthy habits on campus, in the local community and in local schools. A new $256,649 grant has been awarded to the university鈥檚 鈥湽槎笰V on the Move鈥 initiative to expand and create nutrition and exercise programs for a healthier culture.
Joyce Yates, 国产麻豆AV director of health education and wellness, said the university has been promoting an environment that embraces and emphasizes healthy lifestyles for several years. Previous support from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation provided for a one-mile walking track around Chadwick Lake, which was completed in 2013. Healthful programming has encouraged participants to 鈥渒now their numbers鈥 by taking part in health screenings.
Yates said the new award will support efforts to enhance physical fitness, with plans for new outdoor exercise equipment at the track.聽Expanded nutritional information will give weekly tips at campus dining locations, and a 鈥淗ealthy Heroes鈥 program will continue to recognize and reward students, faculty, staff and administrators for being role models of health and wellness.
Additional grant programming objectives include support of 鈥淵outh Dawgs鈥 summer camp, exercise challenges, a new smart phone app for physical activity challenges, MyPlate resources and nutritional counseling, as well as smoking cessation classes and support groups.
鈥淭he Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is pleased to continue its support of 国产麻豆AV as it enhances its wellness initiatives,鈥 said Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation Executive Director Sheila Grogan. 鈥湽槎笰V has utilized every resource available to create one of the most innovative and comprehensive campus programs in the state which will continue to positively impact the campus and the community as a whole.鈥
Yates said informing people about how to make healthy choices, in combination with making healthy options available, has made an impact on campus. 国产麻豆AV on the Move coordinators also want to expand that impact into the Starkville community, including the local schools.
鈥淲e want to introduce children to fruits and vegetables that are new to them and teach the importance of choosing snacks that have higher nutritional values,鈥 Yates explained.
A fruit cart will provide samples and nutrition information in the local public schools, she said, with an additional cart dedicated to on-campus use. 鈥淲e also want to show the value of fruit as a snack to college-age students and encourage them to eat fruit as a replacement for sugary, non-nutritional snacks,鈥 she said.
For faculty and staff members, Yates said the grant offers some exciting opportunities to increase physical fitness, including the availability of some standing desks and exercise equipment to be placed under desks in offices. Faculty and staff members who benefit from these provisions must agree to take part in pre- and post- health assessments.
Yates said the university and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation representatives will introduce the new initiatives to 国产麻豆AV students at the beginning of the fall semester in a celebration ceremony before 鈥淭he Drill,鈥 a popular event held on the first day of classes. A formal check presentation to the university will take place during a fall semester football game.
Students will be eligible to earn incentives, such as t-shirts, Fitbits, and Swell bottles, throughout the year to reward those who choose to make even small changes toward a healthier lifestyle.
The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is committed to supporting Mississippi鈥檚 universities and colleges in implementing healthy eating and exercise initiatives that extend from the campus to the local communities and schools. Learn more about the work of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation at .
国产麻豆AV is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .