Free nutrition and exercise classes are on offer to Dewsbury kids starting this January.
The fun 10-week MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do it!) programme at Dewsbury Sports Centre will start on Monday 23 January will help families get a healthy start to 2012 by teaching them top tips on how to eat more healthily and keep active. The programme will run every Monday 4.30-6.30pm and Wednesdays 5 -7pm.
At the after-school MEND programme, children aged 7-13 years and their parents learn about healthy eating together. The kids then play fun active games (including a swimming session) while the parents learn how to set healthy goals and rewards and swap ideas and tips with other parents.
The programme is run by the Sports and Physical Activity Development Team (Kirklees Council) and was developed by Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust and University College London Institute of Child Health. Independent research shows that children who attend the programme reduce their BMI and waist circumference while their fitness and self-esteem increases too.
Abi Mackenzie who runs the programme in Dewsbury, says: “As experts in health and nutrition, we work with families to help them identify their unhealthy habits and swap them for healthy ones. MEND is not a diet, it’s about supporting families to create a healthy home environment and make small changes that can make a big difference. We know our approach works as kids leave the programme full of energy and confidence.”
If you’re worried about your child’s weight and you’d like to talk to someone to see if MEND is right for your family, call 01484 234096 or go to http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/mend
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