The Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do it! (MEND) programme is now recruiting children and families for its latest healthy lifestyle course.
The free initiative is a ten week course which aims to get children fit and provides both them and their families the chance to become more active, healthier and happier.
The MEND Programme is the largest national scheme for tackling childhood weight problems and obesity.
The course was developed at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and the University College London Institute of Child Health and 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 healthy and active with the support of their parents or carers.
The programme includes a series of fun sessions to get the whole family involved in helping children to change their eating and exercise habits with goals and rewards to promote sustained improvements in overall health, fitness and wellbeing.
There is a group supermarket visit and a cooking session aimed at helping to deliver lessons in nutrition and the basics of healthy eating, including how to reduce sugar, fats and salts and understanding product labelling.
There are sessions in behaviour for both adults and children aimed at helping with issues such as bullying, problem solving and the triggers to negative social behaviour.
Games, team sports and circuits are among the physical activities undertaken as well a growth check before and after the programme to record weight, height and waist circumference.
Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport Cllr Nigel Howells said: “The MEND scheme continues to make a real difference to children’s lives.
“It promotes health and fitness and helps to reduce overweight and obesity levels in children.
“I am thrilled that the programme is returning to Cardiff to give more children and families the chance to change their lifestyles for the better”.
MEND Programme Manager for Cardiff, Wayne Stone added: “MEND is a great way to kick start a fitter, healthier and happier year for the whole family.
“It’s a fun, free way for families to improve their health and fitness and by encouraging them to be more active and choose healthier options they can lose weight and increase their confidence”.
Dr Sharon Hopkins, Director of Public Health for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, added: “This project has already helped families to start on the road to a healthier lifestyle.
“By offering activities and information on fitness and nutrition the scheme is able to provide those taking part with the tools to make changes that will make a real difference to their health and their quality of life.”
The 10 week programme runs from January 24, 2011 and takes place after school twice a week.
Children from Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan are welcome to apply for one of the limited number of places on the course.
The scheme is run in joint partnership with Cardiff Council and the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government.
If you think your child is above a healthy weight and you would like to register for a place on MEND’s fun free healthy lifestyle course and find out whether MEND is running in your area, call 0800 230 0263 or visit mendcentral.org.
