New MEND Programme helps local children and families fight obesity

Staying Put Services and the North Fulham NDC, in conjunction with Fulham Football Club Community Sports Trust and Hammersmith and Fulham PCT, will be running their first MEND Programme between the beginning of October and mid December.

Approximately 15 children and their parents' will be offered places on the programme. The 10 week Programme involves fun activities to improve cardiovascular fitness, exercise tolerance, nutrition and self-esteem.

The MEND - Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do it! Programme provides a unique opportunity for families to learn practical ways to successfully address the challenges of childhood obesity. One parent or adult carer must attend each session with their child, as the Programme aims to improve the entire family's eating and exercise habits, thereby promoting sustained improvements in overall health, fitness and wellbeing. MEND is not a diet, and the focus is not on simply losing weight.

Paul Sacher, MEND's Research Director, says:

"Childhood obesity in the UK has reached epidemic levels. Action is needed to prevent children entering adulthood with all the associated obesity problems such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. MEND has been developed as an effective treatment programme that can be easily and effectively integrated in a community setting and rolled out at local leisure centres, schools and children's centres."

Activities on the MEND Programme include swimming, land-based games and nutrition sessions. Behavioural management techniques will also be used to encourage children to be more active and change their eating habits.

If you would like to sign up for the MEND Programme or would like more information please contact Staying Put Services on 0208 206 5890.

The MEND programme in North Fulham is a joint collaboration between Staying Put Services and the Shepherds Bush Healthy Living Centre, the North Fulham NDC, Fulham Football Club Community Sports Trust, Hammersmith and Fulham School Nurses and the Sports Development Agency.

Further details on the MEND Programme are available at www.mendprogramme.org.

Information for parents and schools: If you would like your children/school to be involved in the programme please contact Staying Put Services on 0208 206 5890.