Forty-five Buist Academy students participated in a national photoshoot for the American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, last week. The photos will be featured in marketing and communications materials for the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge, American Heart Challenge, and NFL PLAY 60 programs. Buist Academy has demonstrated enduring commitment to the Kids Heart Challenge, having raised over $100,000 throughout their years of involvement.
The American Heart Association’s school-based program, Kids Heart Challenge/American Heart Challenge, offers a variety of physical activities to get elementary and middle school students’ hearts pumping such as dance, basketball or jumping rope paired with Finn’s Mission, an online component where students can earn digital badges for learning life-saving skills like Hands-Only CPR™ and how to spot a stroke, ways to combat stress, and ideas for healthy eating. The program has nearly 50 years of proven success rooted in scientific research that shows that kids who are regularly active feel better, have improved mental health, build self-esteem, and decrease and prevent conditions such as anxiety and depression.
“The Kids Heart Challenge benefits our students in a variety of ways,” says Shannon Tisdale, physical education teacher at Buist Academy. “First and foremost, it builds a foundation for better health by teaching students how to create healthy habits at school and at home. In addition, the fundraising element empowers students to make a significant impact on our community. We are so excited to see our students featured on the marketing materials for the upcoming school year.”
For over 15 years the American Heart Association and the NFL, in collaboration with the 32 NFL teams, have reached over 10.5 million kids with physical activity resources to meet the recommended 60 minutes a day of vigorous physical activity each day. NFL PLAY 60 is rooted in proven science that shows that active kids learn better, focus more, think more clearly, and perform better in the classroom.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans[1] only 20% of kids get enough activity to meet physical activity recommendations. In addition to improved physical health, the benefits of physical activity for children include better grades, school attendance and classroom behavior.
To learn more about the Kids Heart Challenge/American Heart Challenge or to enroll your school to participate, visit www.heart.org/getstarted.
For more information on NFL PLAY 60, visit heart.org/NFLPLAY60.
