South Carolina

Golfers and beach-goers flock to South Carolina’s picturesque beaches, including the popular vacation destination Myrtle Beach. The state is also home to Charleston, one of the nation’s most charming cites where visitors can wander cobblestone streets along pastel pre-Civil-War-era houses.

But South Carolina also has a far less charming attribute: the third highest childhood obesity rate in the country. Nearly 40 percent of youth in the state are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for serious health problems.

Additionally, the significant racial and ethnic disparities that exist in obesity prevalence among U.S. children are pronounced in South Carolina’s diverse communities: More than a quarter of the state’s residents are Black or African American.*

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, thanks to support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina Foundation, the Fullerton Foundation, and the Mary Black Foundation, is working with communities throughout the state to make it easier for kids to lead healthier lives.

Our Work in South Carolina

In South Carolina, we’re making it easier for kids to develop healthy habits.

More than 1,036 schools serving over 617,000 students across the state have joined Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program, creating healthier school environments for children to thrive. Since 2007, 194 South Carolina schools have been recognized with National Healthy Schools Awards for their outstanding efforts.

We’ve also made it easier for over 5,000 youth in 80 out-of-school time programs to eat right and move more through our Healthy Out-of-School Time Initiative.

Success Stories

Hear from school champions from just a few of the many schools and districts we work with in South Carolina: South Kilbourne Elementary School, enrolled in the Healthy Schools Program since 2009; Anderson School District Four, enrolled since 2013; West Florence High School, enrolled since 2009; and Brockman Elementary School, a 2016 Gold-award winning school enrolled since 2009.

The Healthy Schools Program provided a credible process that enabled us to hold people accountable, and it provided guidelines to create a healthier environment.

Katherine Price

Physical Education Teacher, SC

In Anderson School District Four, we have seen attendance, concentration, and overall academic performance improve when you provide healthy nutritional choices and opportunities for physical activity.

Dr. Joanne Avery

Superintendent, Anderson District Four, SC

Working with committed colleagues at each school, I was able to lead both a primary school and a high school to make healthy changes and receive the National Healthy Schools Bronze Award.

Pete Ellis

Physical Education Teacher, West Florence High School, SC

We have learned to be brave and try new ideas as we worked toward meeting the requirements for the Gold Award. Through this process, our teachers, parents, students and community partners have become a dynamic team that is dedicated to the continuous commitment of maintaining the highest levels of student and staff wellness.

Lisa Curtis

Physical Education Teacher, Brockman Elementary School, SC

Watch how Southern states, including South Carolina, are helping students to develop healthier habits at school.