Fuller Normal Advanced Technology Charter School in Greenville, S.C. has decided to look obesity in the face and fight back. Last week, the school redeveloped its physical education classes to provide more opportunities for exercise. The school has also made a move to create healthy options for breakfast and lunch – all in an effort to improve the overall health of the school’s 240 students.
Julian Reed, a Furman University professor, told the Greenville News that students that have improved health and fitness are more likely to have greater academic achievements, fewer absentees and discipline problems. Jim Rex, the South Carolina superintendent of education, later told the Greenville News that 36 percent of the county’s Caucasian students, 41 percent of Hispanic students and 49 percent of African American students are obese or overweight.
