St. Helens has won the first Nursing Times Awards for Preventing and Managing Obesity in children.

Published by webmaster for St Helens Council in Communities

St. Helens has won the first Nursing Times Awards for Preventing and Managing Obesity in children.

The "Fit for Life" Academy is a partnership between Halton and St. Helens Primary Care Trust, St.Helens Council and Saints Rugby League Club under the guidance of Nurse Clinician Jacqueline Parkes.

The Academy is a ten week programme of fun based activities aimed at school children and their families which provides information on healthy eating given by the Health Living Team and Community Dieticians. The children also have the opportunity to participate in different physical activities organised by the Saints Community Coaches from St. Helens Council‘s Youth and Sports Development Team.

Of the children who enrolled on the programme 44% either lost or maintained their weight and after a further three months 72% of these maintained their weight loss.

The judges from the Nursing Times praised the scheme for the way the partners have engaged with each other from the beginning, understanding the seriousness of obesity as a public health issue and how a carefully thought approach has benefited both the parents and children.

For further details contact Debbie Bishop the Council's Public Health Programme Manager on 01744 697432.

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Press release issued: January 5 2007