BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) - From selling cookies and earning merit badges, to helping researchers fight obesity, Girl Scouts are testing out a new fitness program that even lets them text and spend time on Facebook to get them more physically active.

A select group of Girl Scouts are part of a study to fight obesity.  Experts say by the time they hit middle school, girls' physical activity drops by 34 percent.  Eight of the nine fattest states for kids report obesity rates of more than 20 percent.

Researchers created the "Be Fit With Friends", or BFF program, teaming up with the Girl Scouts.  The girls earn points and win prizes for taking part in community fitness events.

Social media is a big part of the program.  The girls get motivational text messages and even have a Facebook fan page to upload pictures.  Researchers hope the BFF program helps the girls realize fitness should be their best friend forever.

35 girls took part in the fitness study and the data is currently being analyzed. Another organization picked it up as part of a summer program for another 100 girls.