Obesity is fast becoming as the number one health problem facing children and young people today. 

Research clearly indicates that overweight and obese children are likely to remain so into adulthood. 

Poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle are major contributors to obesity and the onset of heart disease, type II diabetes and some forms of cancer. The problem has reached epidemic proportions in the UK.

North East Essex Primary Care Trust plans to tackle the issue head on by introducing a pioneering scheme that has already been successfully trialed in Colchester and is now being set up in Clacton for people from the Tendring area. 

MEND is a community, family based programme for overweight and obese children aged between 7 – 13 years and their families. The programme places equal emphasis on Mind, Exercise, Nutrition....... Do it!

It combines all the elements known to be vital in tackling obesity in children including family involvement, practical education in nutrition, increasing physical activity levels and behavioural change. 

The aim is to encourage sustained improvements in families’ eating habits, fitness levels and overall health. 

MEND is not a diet, it is a way of placing a child at the centre of a range of ways to make life changes improving their nutrition, physical activity levels, self confidence and personal development. 

By following the MEND principles participants will lose weight naturally and build a foundation for leading a much healthier lifestyle.

Research has proved that MEND programmes have lasting results. A study involving more than 100 children found that a full 12 months after completing the programme, children had lost weight, were fitter and were doing more sports as well as feeling more confident.

Kate French, the Trust’s Programme Manager in Tendring said, “The MEND programme is fun, effective and very practical.

“We are very excited by the results we have already seen in the pilot programmes and are really looking forward to offering this innovative and workable example of how to improve the lives of children whilst offering real support to their families.”

If your family would like to sign up for the MEND Programme in Clacton please call Kate French, 01255 206272 or visit the website www.mendprogramme.org. Should you require information on programmes available in Colchester please call 01206 282214. Programmes run every school term for 9 weeks.