FAMILIES with children who may be over their ideal weight are being encouraged to sign up for free sessions to help them learn more about healthy eating and exercise.

FAMILIES with children who may be over their ideal weight are being encouraged to sign up for free sessions to help them learn more about healthy eating and exercise.

Youngsters aged seven to 13 across the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area can take part in the Mind Exercise Nutrition Do It (MEND) sessions which are being run at four locations in the patch.

Funded by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, the ten-week programme is being rolled out at the Fitness 2000 gym in Great Yarmouth and The Shrublands Centre in Gorleston, as well as at venues at Lowestoft and Bungay.

Steph Edrich, MEND programme manager at NHS Yarmouth and Waveney's community services, said: “Children and their families will be able to learn about physical activity, nutrition and self esteem.

“The MEND programme makes an incredible difference to children's lives. They become fitter, healthier and happier. It's great to see the children grow in confidence throughout the 10 weeks.

“This is the first generation that may die before their parents because of the growing obesity issues. We all need to be more aware of how to improve our lifestyles so we can start tackling these issues.”

The MEND programme, which stands for Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It, begins in the week beginning May 10 for two hours from 5pm to 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Families keen to sign up for MEND can call Steph Edrich on 01493 852207 or text 07798 825145. More information is available through the national website www.mendprogramme.org.