Families with youngsters aged 7 – 13 years across Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre and Lancaster are signing up for the next Kids Get Active programmes set to kick off at schools and community venues later this month.
The programmes are recommended by the Department of Health and thanks to NHS funding every place is completely free of charge for all participants.
Kids Get Active (MEND) programmes are aimed at families with children aged between 7 (from 5 in Blackpool) and 13 years old who may be above their ideal weight.
Kids Get Active MEND Participants Graduation Day
During the free sessions, the children are encouraged to take part in fun, active and non-competitive games while parents learn about topics including how to set healthy goals and rewards and dealing with fussy eating. It’s also a great opportunity to swap ideas and tips with other parents and children and parents are encouraged to learn about healthy eating and healthy habits together.
With one in three children above a healthy weight, the MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do it!) programme aims to help local families become fitter, healthier and happier.
The free course, which was developed in partnership with child health experts at Great Ormond Street Hospital, also includes a visit to the local supermarket where the children and their parents learn how to read food labels.
Steve Brown, Fylde Coast YMCA MEND’s programme manager for Wyre & Fylde, said: “We all lead such hectic lives that eating healthily can sometimes drop off the priority list. At MEND, families learn how they can make small changes to get back on a healthier track.
“Kids love the fun activities and games, while the parents tell us that they enjoy learning about healthy eating and swapping tips with other parents. As well as losing weight, kids leave the programme with more energy and a boost in self-esteem”.
Christine Waters a local parent who attended the MEND programme with her daughter says: “The staff are outstanding, extremely helpful and supportive. I have learned so much in such a short time. I am disgusted how conned we are into thinking that we are buying the right stuff for our children, only to find that we are actually causing them probably more damage due to low fat and very high sugar foods.”
Independent research conducted by the University College London’s Institute of Child Health found that children who attended the MEND programme experienced long-term health benefits, including long-term weight loss and improvements in fitness and self-esteem.
If you are unsure about whether your child’s weight is above the ideal then call a member of the Y:Active Team on 01253 882105 or visit www.mendcentral.org for an easy to use BMI calculator appropriate for children.
Places are limited so if you think your child is above a healthy weight and would like to find out more about MEND, call Fylde Coast YMCA on 01253 882105 or visit www.mendcentral.org
Check out all the dates, venues and times for programmes starting this January via www.ymcayactive.org/programmes
