Walsall's youth eat and exercise their way to a healthier life

Walsall's Fun 4 Life weight management programme aimed at overweight and obese children has achieved exceptional results for a second year running. The programme is co-ordinated by Walsall Teaching Primary Care Trust and delivered by Walsall Council. Fun 4 Life follows on from the pioneering work done in Walsall with the first NHS childhood obesity clinic in January 2004.

The programme, which was run between April and July this year, has proved highly successful with 67% of participants reducing their body mass index and body fat percentage, as well as 100% feeling more confident and able to participate in sport and 78% feeling fitter.

Paul Jennings said: "Obesity in young children is a growing concern in Walsall and something Walsall tPCT take very seriously. The Fun 4 Life programme is a very successful initiative providing children and their families with the help and support they need to improve their lifestyles through healthier eating and more physical activity."

Councillor Louise Harrison, cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: “This programme has proved extremely successful in Walsall to encourage young people as well as their families to live healthier lifestyles. It is a specialist clinic that has worked and feedback from families has shown that it does work, young people loose weight and gain confidence.”

John Linnane, Walsall's Deputy Director of public health said: "We are building on work already developed. We have invested heavily in tackling the problem of obesity in young people and this is the next stage."

The 12 week programme is aimed at children between the ages of 8 and 16 who are overweight or obese. The initiative which, is funded by Sport England, introduces fun and interesting ways children can control their weight through physical activities such as ultimate frisbee, street dance, football and canoeing. Weekly lifestyle sessions focus on practical ways children can change their own lifestyle, with staff providing positive and friendly advice and information.

Young people can be booked onto Fun 4 Life through their GP, School Health Advisor or Nurse or through self-referral by a parent or guardian.

For more information about Fun 4 Life or to book a place for the next programme in January 2007, please contact Claire or Simon at Walsall Council’s sport and leisure development service on 01902 605500.