"Past generations of Mississippians have fallen victim to illnesses that are entirely preventable. Future generations can, and should, have every opportunity to live long, healthy and productive lives."

"A healthy student will feel better and perform better in the classroom"

Katherine Nelson, Grant Coordinator
DeSoto County Schools

"If you build it, they will come" is the motto at Project Fit America. Their one-of-a-kind outdoor gym equipment is not only gaining the attention of kids and adults alike, but it's also helping some Mississippi kids improve their fitness and strength.

Support from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation has helped to bring this program to Mississippi for the first time, assisting school districts in DeSoto County, Brookhaven, Greene County and Biloxi.

Project Fit America is a national non-profit organization dedicated to getting kids fit and more physically active. They also promote healthy lifestyle habits by addressing self-esteem, smoking intervention, fitness as fun, exercise and understanding the body.

The goal is to reverse the lack of fitness in youth and teach children to take responsibility for their health, while developing a positive relationship with their bodies. A two-year monitoring program follows the students' progression and development.

"A healthy student will feel better and perform better in the classroom," said Katherine Nelson, Grant Coordinator, DeSoto County Schools.

The signature red and blue gym equipment was designed to address the areas where kids generally fail fitness tests, including upper body, lower body, abdominals, cardiovascular endurance and flexibility. After the first year, students in DeSoto County have shown remarkable improvements in their fitness.

An upper body strength test showed a 126 percent improvement at Shadow Oaks Elementary in Horn Lake. At Oak Grove Central Elementary in Hernando, students had a 117 percent increase in performing modified pull ups. And in Olive Branch, students increased their cardiovascular fitness by more than 40 percent. Students are becoming healthier thanks to the Project Fit America program, and the test results are the proof. Following the students' lead, the teachers are getting in on the action. The schools are even phasing candy, soft drinks and other nutritionally deficient snacks out of their vending machines, opting to replace them with healthier versions.