Obesity war going well

2:17pm Friday 14th September 2007

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BOLTON'S war on obesity has begun.

Teams of fat fighters started work this week with 17 families whose children are classed as "very overweight".

The youngsters, some as young as seven and up to the age of 12, their parents and siblings, are being taught about healthy eating and the benefits of exercise, as well as learning to cook and having fun while working out.

Work on the project started as it was revealed that nationally, obesity is spiralling out of control.

Experts have warned the problem could cause the collapse of the NHS and shock figures have shown less than three per cent of 11-year-olds are getting enough exercise.

Dieticians, nutritionists and fitness instructors are working with the children and their families in Bolton as part of the Mind Exercise Nutrition Do It (MEND) programme.

The five-strong team has embarked on a 10-week course with the families, who have mainly referred themselves to the service.

Sarah Collins, children's weight management team leader, said: "We actually only planned to have 15 families and so have been over-subscribed, but it's going really well. This week we've been getting to know each other, done the first food session and taken part in some exercise in the pool.

"The families taking part have had a ball so far. We want to show them that healthy eating and exercise can be fun."

But health chiefs are warning far more needs to be done to combat the problem.

Julie Holt, public health nutrition and dietetics specialist for Bolton Primary Care Trust, said: "We need to be putting resources into the problem of obesity across the whole of society and not just in the NHS.

"There's a lot we're trying to do as a PCT and we have been working with other agencies, such as the council, voluntary groups and the private sector. People need to start thinking about their own lifestyles because small changes such as improving activity levels or diet can make a big difference."

Sir Derek Wanless - whose 2002 report paved the way for record spending in the NHS - has warned obesity poses a serious threat to the future of the NHS in England.

He said the growing number of obese people would place an increasing burden on limited NHS resources.n.

In Bolton, figures released last year show just over 25 per cent of four and five-year-olds, and nearly 30 per cent of 10 and 11-year-olds were classed as overweight or obese.