Teachers fight battle of the bulge in Bristol

Teaching kids about healthy living is just part of the plan at a school in Bristol, TN that’s waging the battle of the bulge.  Twenty teachers and staff from Tennessee Avenue Christian Academy are taking part in a weight loss competition started by two of their own.   

To shed pounds, teachers are walking laps around the playground with their students and serving up healthy snacks like apples instead of chips and cookies.  First grade teacher Julie Shoemaker started the program and said she also hopes it helps her students fight obesity.

“If we could play a small part in reducing that I think we’re doing our job as teachers in helping them have a longer life,“ said Shoemaker.

Tennessee Avenue Christian Academy will take part in Blue Cross Tennessee’s Walking Works for Schools this January.  The program works to curb childhood obesity by requiring students to walk for five minutes at school every day.

For a full video report, click play above.