Fat camp youngsters win praise for success

NHS Rotherham funded the 31 children to attend the Carnegie International Camp near Leeds where they are taught the dangers of being fat and overeating.

It was the third year of the project, which has provided places for 119 overweight and obese youngsters from Rotherham who have lost a total of 101 stone since 2008.

The Carnegie International Camp is a residential summer fit camp run by Carnegie Weight Management, based at Leeds Metropolitan University.

The camp's core curriculum focuses on physical activity, diet, lifestyle education and social activity. Children take part in six hours per day of sport including running, karate and basketball.

NHS Rotherham's public health specialist Gill Harrison said: "Participating in camp and achieving this weight loss is a fantastic accomplishment for all the children.

"They have worked really hard to achieve this and we will continue to support them in their weight loss goals. One in three children and 60 per cent of the adult population in Rotherham are classified as overweight or obese which is why NHS Rotherham has invested 3.5m over a three year period to tackle the increasing problem."

Carnegie Clubs are aimed at overweight young people aged between eight and 17.

Clubs are open to everyone who meet the referral criteria, and are free to children registered with a Rotherham GP.

For more information contact Natalie Dunn, Healthy Living Programme Manager at Rotherham Leisure Complex on 01709 722555 or apply at www.

carnegieweightmanagement.

com/rotherham