St. Mary’s School in Oak Ridge is one of 20 Tennessee middle schools to have been awarded a 2015 Shape the State grant to improve its physical education program. The grant, valued at $10,000, is funded by the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation.

In addition, St. Mary’s will also receive $1,000 to spend at its discretion for PE, nutrition, and wellness efforts. St. Mary’s first-year athletic director and physical education teacher Shannon Adcock submitted the grant in April.

According to the state Department of Health, about 40 percent of Tennessee children are overweight or obese. Obesity dramatically increases a person’s risk for dangerous health conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The Shape the State grants continue a longstanding practice of BlueCross’ Tennessee Health Foundation’s supporting efforts to fight childhood obesity in the state, a press release said. [Read more…]