South Bucks Children Delighted by Weight Loss

Eight South Bucks children were delighted to graduate this month from MEND, a course designed to reduce weight and promote healthy lifestyles, the group completed their quest to become fitter, healthier and happier. Several of the children were successful in losing weight during the ten weeks with some having reduced their waist circumference by up to 6.5 cm.

MEND is the UK’s largest healthy lifestyle programme for overweight children and their parents, and the families attending the current course really enjoyed the mix of fun activities such as a supermarket tour, food fest, and quiz as well as learning all about healthy eating and being more active. Both the children and parents form great friendships and were a great source of support to each other throughout the ten weeks.

This is the forth MEND course to be run and nutritionists have monitored children from the previous courses on a six monthly basis enabling them to identify several children as having a healthy weight only months after being categorised as obese.

South Bucks District Council is running more MEND courses throughout 2010, and there are still places available for the next course starting 12th January at Burnham Upper School, Opendale Road, Burnham. The twice-weekly sessions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5pm to 7pm. Thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Fund, the programme is completely free to all families attending.

Councillor Shorne Tilbey, Portfolio Holder for Community at South Bucks District Council said, ‘The MEND Programme is a really positive experience for the whole family. Many youngsters who take part change body shape, reduce their waistlines and achieve a healthier weight for their age and height, which results not only in them being healthier and fitter but also gaining in self esteem and confidence. MEND is also a great way to make lasting friendships. We hope that many more families will take up this opportunity to turn their lives around and apply for a place on the Programme.’

If you are worried about your child’s weight and are interested in attending MEND, contact Joe Sammon on 01895 837348 or mend@southbucks.gov.uk, or visit www.mendprogramme.org. (opens new window to MEND website)