"We're teaching them lifestyle goals and lifestyle changes," Matt Campbell said. "Things they can do throughout the rest of their lives."

Third graders from Hamlin pre-kindergarten through eighth grade were at Marshall University Friday...being rewarded for fighting childhood obesity.

At the school, grades three through five took part in "Healthy Rivalry," a Marshall Medical School outreach program to spark competition within classes to get fit.

"As a reward for doing work, I would say we'll take five minutes and do a few exercises," third grade teacher, Sherry Kline, said. "Five minutes stretched to fifteen everytime."

And fifteen minutes here and there really tallied up. At the end of the contest, Kline's third grade had nearly 2,500 minutes worth of exercising. And their reward? Working out in Marshall's brand new recreation center and taking part in aerobics and games, all part of taking a step in the right direction for healthy living.

"They need to know if they're over-weight now, it's not going to be easy when they get older," Kline said. "It's easier to learn this now and keep it going forever, than it is to start when you get older."

Even though getting older might not be on the minds of these third graders, some say by staying active now, they hope it's a direct reflection on who they'll be in the years to come.