(RALEIGH) -- Obesity rates have doubled across North Carolina over the last two decades and the state's largest health insurer is leading an effort to promote projects to reverse that trend. Sean Kearns, Vice president of speciality markets with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina said three project will each get $20,000 grants, including one called "The Walking Classroom"  targeted for fifth graders.

"That one is a great idea in that it gets kids out from behind their desks and gets them up out walking around the school grounds on a brisk walk, a 20 minute walk as they listen to the lessons a podcast and then they go back to the classroom and actually talk about it," said Kearns.

Other partners include Bull City Forward in Durham, Queen City Forward in Charlotte and the Institute for Emerging Issues.