ALTON Sports Centre has been selected as one of only three in the county to pilot a scheme to help tackle childhood obesity. MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition...Do it) is one of the UK's most innovative and effective obesity prevention and treatment programmes. To be launched at Alton Sports Centre on May 8, the first nine-week MEND programme will involve fun activities to improve cardiovascular fitness, exercise tolerance, nutrition and self-esteem. According to Alton Sports Centre general manager, Richard Neal, the intention is to target eight to 13 year olds in local schools, using a system of self- referal that will require the involvement of at least one parent or adult carer. More than 100 children and their parents will be offered places on the MEND programme for the next two years. They will benefit from a unique opportunity to learn practical ways to successfully address the challenges of childhood obesity. The aim is to improve the entire family's eating and exercise habits, thereby promoting sustained improvements in overall health, fitness and wellbeing. MEND is not a diet, and the focus is not on simply losing weight. In 2005, a large pilot study of the MEND programme was conducted with 42 obese seven – 11 year old children. After three months, their self-esteem had significantly improved and they all experienced significant improvements in BMI (body mass index), waist circumference and fitness levels. Paul Sacher, MEND's research director who heads the current research into MEND at the Institute of Child Health, said: "Childhood obesity in the UK has reached epidemic levels where drastic action is urgently needed to prevent it rising further. Preventative action is also needed to prevent children entering adulthood with all the associated obesity problems such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. "MEND has been developed as an effective treatment programme that can be easily and effectively integrated in a community setting and rolled out at local leisure centres, schools and children's centres." Activities on Alton's MEND programme will include swimming and land-based games, nutrition sessions, a supermarket tour and a recipe-tasting evening. Behavioural management techniques will also be used to encourage children to be more active and change their eating habits. If you would like to sign up for the Alton MEND programme or would like more information contact Richard Neale on 01420 540041 or email [email protected]">[email protected].
