Catch the fitness bug in NPT and get healthy

Parents and children are being encouraged to catch the fitness bug and make healthy living their New Year's resolution.

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council's Physical Activity and Sport Service is giving away places on the MEND Programme to give more children and families the chance to become fitter, healthier and happier.

The MEND Programme (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition&Do it!) aims to tackle childhood obesity and targets children between the ages of 7 to 13 who are over the healthy weight range for their age and height.

The Programme includes a series of sessions to get the whole family involved in helping children to change their eating and exercise habits while learning about nutrition, therefore promoting sustained improvements in overall health, fitness and wellbeing.

Neath Port Talbot Council leader Ali Thomas said this will be the fourth time that the course is being run in Neath Port Talbot.

"Children and families who have previously participated have achieved tremendous results," he said. "We are committed to offering families in Neath Port Talbot the chance to improve their health with this fantastic free course."

"Children become healthier and fitter and we have seen their self esteem and confidence increase greatly," added Maria Edwards, Programme Manager.

The 10 week programme will run every Monday and Thursday between January and March 2010 at Pontardawe Leisure Centre.
A limited number of places on the MEND Programme are being offered FREE of charge on a first come, first served basis to eligible families.

For more information or to register for the Programme call 01639 875675 or email m.edwards1@npt.gov.uk. A parent or carer must accompany each child to the twice weekly sessions and places must be booked in advance.
Parents wishing to check whether their child is a healthy weight or whether they might benefit from the MEND Programme can visit the MEND website www.mendprogramme.org, which has a handy Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator.