YOUNGSTERS in Great Yarmouth are being offered the chance to trim down in 2010 with a free weight management programme.Places are still available on four Mend courses which help children aged seven to 13 with their physical activity levels, nutrition and self esteem.

YOUNGSTERS in Great Yarmouth are being offered the chance to trim down in 2010 with a free weight management programme.

Places are still available on four Mend courses which help children aged seven to 13 with their physical activity levels, nutrition and self esteem.

Funded by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, the ten-week programme is aimed at children who are above their ideal weight.

The programme, which stands for Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It, will be running at The Shrublands Centre, Gorleston and Fitness 2000 in Yarmouth on Tuesdays and Thursday from 5 to 7pm.

Steph Edrich, Mend programme manager at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney's Community Services, said: “The programme has proven results in achieving a healthier weight for children. Not only does the child benefit but the sessions help all the family to change their eating and exercise habits. It has also has a really positive effect on the child's self esteem.”

“The problem of weight is an increasing problem and it's a case of tackling the issue when individuals are children so they can take that information through into their adult life and even onto the time when they have children.”

The MEND Programme is the UK's largest healthy lifestyle programme for children and their parents or carers.

Health improvement manager Sarah Barnes said: “Maintaining a healthy weight has a really dramatic effect on your health and we want the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area to be up there as having one of the fastest improving health rates in country.”

Families keen to sign up can call Steph Edrich on 01493 852207 or text 07798 825145. More information is available online at www.mendprogramme.org.