Programme to help overweight children live healthier lifestyles

A first-of-its-kind programme in this country help overweight children get away from fatty food and into a healthier lifestyle will begin next month.

Up to 15 children will take part in the eight-week event organised by County Limerick Sports Partnership and the HSE in Adare, Co Limerick, during October and November.

The Way to Go Kids! programme will include parent and child classes along with talks by dieticians and professional fitness instructors.

The ! programme, which is already established across the US, is new to Ireland. It was first piloted in Limerick last year with 50% of participating children losing weight and 25% maintaining their weight by the end of the programme.

HSE dietitian Sinéad Glover said: “This is an innovative programme to help get the whole family involved in achieving a healthy attitude towards weight management.

“We know that getting the whole family involved improves children’s chances of being a healthy weight.”

Philip Macken of the County Limerick Sports Partnership said there has been a very positive reaction to the programme among participants of the pilot scheme last year.

“Parents agreed that Way to Go Kids! actively encouraged their children to eat healthily and makes physical activity fun. For the professionals involved, namely the sports instructors, dieticians and parent support workers, it was a joy to run and the results were extremely encouraging.

“In an area that is becoming increasingly challenging it is great to be part of something that works.

“This is a unique programme, helping families build lifelong healthy attitudes towards food and fitness.

“It incorporates exercise, nutrition and behaviour modification. Snacking, eating away from home, fast foods and physical inactivity are pertinent issues, to not only the child but the family, as a whole.”

* Parents interested in having their children take part in the ! programme can register their interest by contacting Anne/Sinéad on 061 483437/483448. All prospective participants will be screened before being accepted. Places are limited to 10-15 children.