EXERCISE and healthy eating may seem like a chore, but two schemes being run in Kirklees are proving they can be something that the whole family can enjoy together.

The Mend and Young Pals schemes aim to help children tackle obesity by encouraging them and their families to adopt a healthier lifestyle together.

As obesity in England continues to soar, the Change4Life now running in the Examiner scheme says it is now more important than ever to act.

To start adopting a healthier lifestyle now, the two Kirklees-wide schemes are a great place to start.

Mend – which stands for Mind, Exercise, Nutrition ... Do it!– is a free programme for overweight children and their parents and is designed to make their lifestyles healthier and help the kids lose weight.

The scheme, aimed at children aged seven to 13, is run by Kirklees Council’s Physical Activity Development Team.

The 10-week intensive course looks at everything from nutrition and preparing fresh food to fun games that the family can enjoy together.

Team member Faye Hunt said: “It’s important to get children learning about being healthy from an early age and adopt an approach that will stay with them and, hopefully, prevent problems later in life. Also by getting the parents involved they are bringing what they learn into their family’s lifestyle home.

“We teach them that little changes can make a big difference. Just showing them something simple like what’s in their food can help – like the hidden sugars in yoghurts and Coke.

“We then show them how they can still enjoy their favourite foods just by adapting them slightly, like having a wholemeal base on a pizza.”

Young PALS – aimed at five to 13-year-olds – is a free to join 48-week programme that helps young people become more active and control their weight.

The more informal programme includes one-to-one advice, a weekly activity session and education sessions for parents around healthy eating and lifestyle.

Team member Emma Schofield said: “The perception is that it can be expensive to exercise and eat healthily, but that’s not the case and our programmes show that it’s the little changes that can make a big difference.

“This isn’t about a diet, it’s about changing your lifestyle.”

To get involved with the schemes call the team on 01484 234096.