NORWICH – Beginning this month, the Chenango County Health Department, along with a coalition of other community organizations and businesses, will unveil a new community-based health and fitness initiative with sights set on crushing Chenango's rife of obesity.

“We're banding together to combat the negative health trends that are present throughout the county,” said County Public Health Coordinator Isaiah Sutton. “The goal is to move the needle away from Chenango County being the most obese county in New York state.”

Officially known as the Eat Smart, Play More Chobani Health Challenge, the program was designed as a scalable 12-week fitness competition suitable for all in the community to participate in. The fun nutrition and fitness challenge to improve individual health will also raise money for local charities.

“The program seeks to get as many people in the community as possible involved with practicing a more healthy lifestyle while benefiting local nonprofits and charities as an added benefit,” said Sutton.

Sutton explained that the pressure to succeed through the program is a twofold incentive. At the end of the 12-week competition, teams that score the highest points – earned through completion of individual and 'pop-up' challenges, community challenges, selfie-challenges, and overall participation throughout the program – will receive a dollar amount that the team can donate to any local charity of its choosing.