National recognition for Wellingborough's programme to help overweight children

MEND - Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it! - provides programmes, services and resources to help overweight children aged 7-13 and their families manage their weight better and lead healthier lives. Wellingborough Council, in partnership with DC Leisure and Northamptonshire NHS introduced the programme at the Waendel Leisure Centre in January 2009 and has so far run four courses, helping 44 families.

The section on The One Show features Jack, an obese child who had gastric band surgery at 16, interviewing participants from the MEND programme in Wellingborough, talking about MEND as an early intervention alternative to surgery.

Families in the Wellingborough MEND programme take part in fun two hour sessions twice a week for 10 weeks. The sessions are completely free of charge.

The MEND programme is the UK's largest healthy lifestyle programme for overweight children and their parents. Rather than focusing on weight loss, the programme uses a practical interactive learning approach to teach children and parents weight management skills. This includes inspiring families to adopt a healthier lifestyle and enjoy preparing and eating healthy foods as well as reading food labels and healthy shopping on a budget. There are also simple but exciting sessions which focus on making exercise fun again - especially for children who are not fans of traditional school sports.

The programme has proven results, with youngsters who take part changing their body shape, reducing their waistlines and achieving a healthier weight for their age and height. This means they are not only healthier and fitter, but also gain self esteem and confidence. The MEND programme was developed at Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Institute of Child Health, University College London, to enable a significant, measurable and sustained reduction in childhood obesity levels.