Don't miss out on fitness; HEA

Byline: HELEN RAE

Nt familacked a prowhich ORTH Eas ies have ba national gramme measures chi height and weigh then offers adv support appropriate.

ildren's ht and ice and where be receivweek to of their nd weight as part of ild Measmme.

Parents will b ing letters this inform them child's height an measurements a the national Ch urement Program More than 6,0 children Northumberlan had their we height measu school as part of offer children a families support to their weight.

000 school in nd have eight and ured at a drive to and their o manage Doreen Singh Gill her 10-year-old son J Sycamore Street, Ashing backed the programme Justin is getting fit a healthy and growing i confidence with help from the local NHS. l, 46, and Justin, of gton, have e after and n p Doreen said: "I think having children measured is a really good idea as then parents can see early on whether thei child needs some suppor to become more active improve their nutrition.

nir rt or "Once soccer jerseys the weight goes hard to lose it as you ar habit so being measured i idea as you can nip it i bud." s on it is re in that is a good in the The duo have attend two Get Active Northumberland (GAN) programmes together in ded e Ashington Leisure Centre for the last six months and Justin has reduced his Body Mass Index and made new friends along the way.

"The programme really good fun and Just has made new frien through going," explain Doreen. is ine nds ned "He has grown confidence and finds it ea to meet new people. in asier "I would say to parents to give this a go a don't know whether you w it unless you give it a try.

Doreen says she has with her weight in the when they got a letter fro school promoting GA decided to join. other as you will like "struggled past and m Justin's AN they She added: "You alw about your children might have put a lit weight on. ways worry and they ttle bit of "Justin didn't pla like my other child preferred playing games. We took the op to join the sessions to and learn more abou eating." ay outside dren and computer pportunity get active ut healthy Doreen and Jus learned small ways to around the house such a CD on for a dance or ru and down stairs. stin have be active as putting unning up "It has been great as mean you have to join lot you can make small Doreen said. it doesn't ts of clubs, changes," "We have really enj cookery sessions as w recipes to make at home. joyed the well with "Justin makes good food choices now and he knows the difference between good and bad foods. He is more active and enjoys doing fun activities.

"The main thing is his confidence which has really grown."

Dawn Scott, public health consultant for obesity for NHS North of Tyne, working on behalf of Northumberland Care Trust, said: "Under the Change4Life banner weight management schemes encourage families to adopt healthy lifestyles by eating a healthy diet and taking plenty of exercise.

"We also run a number of food co-ops and cooking sessions to help people eat healthily on a budget.

"Without help, overweight children will become overweight or obese adults and will be at increased risk of heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke."

Childhood Measurement Programme: The Childhood Measurement Programme is a shared national programme between the Department for Children, Schools and Families, and the Department of Health.

Under the programme primary care trusts (PCTs) and local authorities measure the weight and height of children in reception class, agReplica Watches
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