Weight loss courses offered to 600 children

WEIGHT loss courses for overweight and obese children will begin in Doncaster next week.

Free places are still available at the Carnegie Clubs, which start on Saturday, January 16, and run for 12 weeks. Classes for four- to 10-year-olds will run at Adwick Leisure Centre, and those for children aged 11 to 17 will take place at Rossington Sports Centre.

The sessions are part of a 500,000 investment by NHS Doncaster to try to combat the growing problem of child obesity in the town.

Figures from the 2007 National Child Measurement Programme showed almost one in four of Doncaster’s school reception children were overweight or obese and, by the age of 11, the rate was nearly one in three.

The new clubs will cater for 600 children, who will be given personalised support to shed weight by combining physical activity and lifestyle changes.

Natalie Dunn, healthy living programme manager at DC Leisure, which delivers the clubs on behalf of Carnegie Weight Management, said: “The clubs offer a practical and realistic approach to weight loss, whilst enabling families to have fun.

“Families are encouraged to make small changes to everyday lifestyles to lose weight and maintain weight loss in a positive and supportive environment.

“Club members will get to take part in lots of physical activity, lifestyle sessions and social activity. They will make new friends, improve their self-esteem and learn more about physical activity opportunities in the local area.”

In neighbouring Rotherham the Carnegie scheme was launched last year and proved a success, with each child losing an average of a stone in weight during a Carnegie summer camp. A new series of sessions got underway in Rotherham on Monday, January 4.

Joseph Newton, 12, who began attending a Carnegie Club in Rotherham last September, said: “We get to do lots of different activities and learn new ideas about food.

“The staff are very helpful and I have made loads of friends. I have lost weight and feel more confident than I did at the start.”

For more information on Carnegie Clubs in Doncaster call 0113 8125233. Information on clubs in Rotherham is available on 01709 722555.