Parents urged to fight the Redbridge flab
 | | OBESITY BATTLE: NHS Redbridge is urging families to fight the flab (Getty Images) |
MUMS and dads are under the spotlight as health experts draw up plans to combat high levels of childhood obesity.
Redbridge is near the summit of an obesity league table of shame with nearly 3,500 under-19s classed as grossly overweight.
Statistics show the figure of 11.4 per cent of overweight children in Redbridge beats the English average of 9.6 per cent.
Some schools employ healthy eating initiatives, but NHS Redbridge recognises more needs to be done on an exercise front in and out of class.
Gladys Xavier, assistant director of public health, said: "The 2010 health profile shows Redbridge children do suffer higher obesity than the English average.
"Although their diets are comparatively healthy, the amount of exercise children take in the borough is low - 82 per cent of children are physically active compared to the England average of 90 per cent.
"We encourage all parents and children to get involved with the many sporting activities taking place in the borough, including the Active4Life campaign, which is part of the highly successful national Change4Life campaign.
"NHS Redbridge also jointly commissions the Mend (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it!) programme which aims to help obese children and their families to adopt a healthier lifestyle, as well as lose weight."
For more details, call 020 8708 0952 or email active4life@redbridge.gov.uk.
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