INDIANAPOLIS -- Peyton Manning is familiar with facing challenges on the field, but he'll soon take on a much more intimidating adversary: childhood obesity.

Project 18 is a partnership between the Colts quarterback, the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St. Vincent Hospital, Marsh Supermarkets and Ball State University, aimed at encouraging kids to be active and make responsible food choices, 6News' Jennifer Carmack reported.

"I don't see many kids out in their back yards or their front yards playing. Most of them are inside, on the Internet or playing video games," Manning said. "And so that's what we're trying to do, encourage these kids to get outside and to get active."

The 18-week school health and wellness program, named after Manning's jersey number, will target third through fifth graders, a particularly vulnerable group, statistics show.

Indiana ranks 11th in the nation for obesity, with one third of children considered overweight.

"It's just alarming," Indiana Department of Health Director Dr. Judy Monroe said at Monday's event. "The statistics have been going in the wrong direction for too long."

The idea is to not only change to children's bad habits at school, but at home for the entire family.

Starting in August, Marsh will launch the Down the Aisle program, highlighting healthy food choices with Project 18 signs.

"Kids, when they run down the aisle, can see what the best choices are, and what Peyton (Manning) would endorse," said Alicia DuPont, a Ball State student.

At the end of this month, the Project 18 mobile van will travel around the state to encourage schools and students to take part.

The top-performing school will get a visit from Manning at the end of the 18 weeks.

More Information: Project 18