Rising eighth grade students in Buncombe County Schools are able to have a healthier summer, using lessons they learned during the last school year.
More than 1,600 BCS students took part in “Moving Adolescents with Technology to Choose Health”, or MATCH Wellness, during seventh grade. The program empowers students to make healthy choices. Healthy Blue and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina’s Medicaid managed care plan provided funding to help bring the MATCH program to classrooms.
Those participating in this research-tested program have boosted their physical activity levels and adopted healthier eating habits, decreasing risk factors for chronic diseases. More than 75% of BCS seventh graders enrolled in PE/Health this school year engaged in an interactive component called “My Action Plan.” This personalized interface allows each student to create personal health and fitness goals and to monitor their progress throughout the semester.
“Giving our students the tools to establish healthy habits is the foundation for their long-term health and the health of our communities,” said Angela Boykin, Healthy Blue Chief Executive Officer. “Investing in our youth and resources for our schools is one way we are working to make health care better for all.”
MATCH is delivered through engaging classroom lessons and interactive activities and aligns with the NC Healthy Living Standards. The program’s reach and impact in Buncombe County are thanks to MATCH’s partnership with Buncombe County Schools administrators, teachers and families.
“Our Middle School teachers report that the MATCH program provides a very good curriculum for students, a platform that is easy for the students to follow and navigate, and a MATCH coordinator who is very responsive and helpful-which in turn helps our teaching,” said Dr. Rob Jackson, Buncombe County Schools Superintendent. “We are excited to work with Healthy Blue to offer our students the opportunity to build their knowledge base for making healthy choices.”
Since its inception in 2006, nearly 100,000 seventh graders have participated in MATCH Wellness. The program is currently in 12 North Carolina school districts, serving more than 9,000 students in the state across 57 schools.
“Buncombe County Schools raised the bar for other participating MATCH Wellness school districts this school year,” said Dr. Bryan Abernethy, Vice President of Educational Programs at MATCH Wellness. “The positive attitudes from participating Health and Physical Education teachers and support from District Coordinator Jennifer Johnson and Dr. Jackson have significantly impacted the students of BCS by helping these students understand the importance of adopting lifelong healthy choices.”