Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do it! , or MEND for short, is aimed at overweight or obese seven to 13-year-olds and their parents, combining nutrition-themed games and discussion with fun activity sessions
Run by Fylde Coast YMCA, in partnership with Wyre Borough Council and North Lancashire Primary Care Trust, the first ten week courses are coming to an end with some excellent results.
All the children completing the programme reported a positive change in waist circumference, body mass index and fitness levels.
And MEND has proved so successful that further courses are now being laid on in Poulton and Fleetwood starting in June and September.
Running twice a week for ten weeks, the programme combines all the elements known to be vital in treating and preventing overweight or obesity.
Each session features an interactive discussion on mind or nutrition for parents and children, followed by an hour of fun land or water-based exercise.
Mike Vernon, Wyre Leisure Director with Fylde Coast YMCA said: "The MEND experience helps get kids healthy and fit in only ten weeks - and helps them stay that way.
"Once all the course is complete, we can then help them choose an exciting physical activity programme, based on the activities they most enjoyed from the exercise sessions."
Councillor Lynne Bowen, Living Healthily Portfolio Holder for Wyre Borough Council, added: "The MEND programme has taken off in a way we could never have imagined. It has been so rewarding to see the families getting so much out of the experience and seeing some really positive changes as a result.
Forthcoming courses, which are free to join, are:
Poulton Community YMCA - Starts Monday 2nd June 2008
Fleetwood YMCA Lofthouse building - Starts Tuesday June 3rd, 2008
Poulton Community YMCA - starts Monday 8th September 2008
Fleetwood YMCA Lofthouse building - Starts Tuesday 9th September 2008