(RALEIGH) -- With childhood obesity a growing problem, new ways are being used to try to get kids up and active. Nathan Acosta with the North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance said the SPARK curriculum is designed to gets get going as soon as phys ed class starts.

"Small group, low competitive, moderate to vigorous activity and it gets every child involved in a way that they feed comfortable and that they're also active," said Acosta.

Some initial research of students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade found that 43 percent of children may be a risk for diseases related to childhood obesity. Acosta said they will be monitoring the health of students in grades K-8 who take part in SPARK activities.