West Virginia University's obesity study checked up on local fifth graders today. Students from five catholic schools in the Wheeling area took part in the health screenings at Wheeling Jesuit University.

It took roughly an hour to measure each student's height, weight, body mass index, and conduct a blood test. All results go home to parents and will be entered into research through WVU.

Organizers hope to combat childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles.

MaryAnn Glusich is a school nurse at Wheeling Catholic Elementary School. She's happy to see this push to combat childhood obesity.

Glusich said, "Intervention is absolutely key and the intervention in the home is the place to start. We try to teach them health eating habits and exercise. The kids had an opportunity to swim for an hour in the pool here at Jesuit which they really were excited about."

Some studies suggest West Virginia ranks number one when it comes to childhood obesity across the nation.