Chilton Medical Center will serve as an official weigh in site for the annual Scale Back Alabama weight loss contest.

Now in its fifth year, Scale Back Alabama is a statewide weight-loss program that started in January 2007. The purpose of the 10-week contest is to encourage people to lose weight, to exercise and to have fun while doing it.

Last year’s campaign drew more than 30,000 people in almost every county with a cumulative reported weight loss of almost 200,000 pounds.

In order to form a team, four people 18 or older must commit to the program and set a weight loss goal. Businesses, churches, families or groups/organizations often form teams.

It is recommended that participants lose about 1 pound per week. In order for a team to be eligible for certain prizes, each team member must lose at least 10 pounds.

The official weigh in at CMC will take place Saturday, Jan. 22 between noon and 2 p.m. The contest is free to participate in and will conclude with a final weigh in the second week of April.

A few groups have already formed, and CMC Senior Connection is also participating in the contest.

Scale Back Alabama is sponsored by Alabama’s hospitals and the Alabama Department of Public Health, with support from Barber’s Dairies and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.

More information about the contest and its prizes can be found online at scalebackalabama.com.