NHS to use 'Strictly Come Dancing' classes in obesity battle

Published by webmaster for 24dash.com in Health

Dance es are to be provided on the National Health Service in a bid to counter declining fitness levels and prevent a national obesity crisis, it is reported today.

The Independent on Sunday says ministers were preparing to roll out a campaign to get people to take more exercise across England and Wales.

According to the paper, these will include street-dancing, tango es and trampolining among a range of activities funded by NHS trusts.

At the same time GPs are to be issued with questionnaires to help them assess the fitness levels of those patients whose lifestyles they are concerned about.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said that a series of pilot projects around the country had demonstrated that "physical activity interventions were cost effective and saved the NHS money in the long run".

She said Public Health Minister Caroline Flint would be making an announcement on Tuesday.

Copyright Press Association 2006.