By Nacogdoches Miller

Sun Intern

Teens can beat the summer heat through Planet Fitness’s nationwide Teen Summer Challenge program, which began this week.

The challenge kicked-off Wednesday and is part of a plan to promote a healthier and safer summer work program for young-adults.

“All 1,700 plus Planet Fitness locations are taking part,” Ken Horn, marketing manager for the Winchester location of Planet Fitness, said.

The national promotion is looking to help fight teen obesity rates in the country.

According to the Center for Disease Control and prevention, nearly 1 in 5 school age children (ages 6 to 19) were considered obese in 2015-16.

And the state of Kentucky ranks 14th in the nation for obesity in youth.

“Long-term we would like to be able to build the brand as the one who is helping try to eradicate teenage inactivity and teenage obesity,” Horn said.

The campaign offers a free membership for teens ages 15 to 18 and will give them access to equipment, locker rooms and for those not sure where to start, a guiding hand to getting healthy.

When participants sign up for the program their names will be entered in a drawing for scholarships awarded at the end of summer.

Every state, and the District of Columbia, will have one name drawn for a $500 scholarship, and one person in the country will win a grand prize scholarship worth $5,000.

The challenge runs through Sept. 1.