A PROGRAMME aimed at tackling childhood obesity is celebrating success.
Five families have just completed the latest Mend programme at Dewsbury Sports Centre.
During the 10-week free programme the children collectively lost 1st 4lb and their waists reduced an average of 6cm per child.
The children took part in fun exercise sessions twice a week as well as education sessions with their parents which taught them how to read food labels and understand about fats and sugars in popular foods and included fruit and vegetable tasting and a supermarket tour.
As their group reward they enjoyed a fun laser zone session in Huddersfield.
One of the young people who has been involved in the programme eleven-year-old Jessica Upfold said: “I won’t be eating sweets anymore, I will be eating healthier and leading a healthier lifestyle – it was brill!”
Jessica’s mum, Sharon Wild said: “It was a fantastic educational experience and would highly recommend it to anybody. It makes the whole family happier, content and improves children’s behaviour.”
Mend stands for Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do it! and the course is targeted at helping children between the ages of seven and 13 who are over the healthy weight range for their age and height to become healthier and active with the support of their parents or carers.
Mend is a national scheme and is run locally by the Kirklees Sport and Physical Activity Development Team.
