A Florida-based health club chain is offering teenagers between 12 and 17 years old a free two-month membership in a bid to prevent the rise in obesity.

Lifestyle Family Fitness, which operates 37 clubs across Florida and Ohio, initially launched the programme over the summer. It was so successful however, with 1,860 teens registered in the first month, that it has decided to extend the scheme to the end of the year.

To participate in the programme, teens must be registered by their parents. Once registered, they can visit the clubs unaccompanied by an adult, but must finish using the facilities by 5pm.

According to the Center for Disease Control’s 03-04 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 17 per cent of adolescents in the US are considered obese, marking a 65 per cent increase from obesity levels 10 years ago.