Sophie Embling, Samantha Pockett, Sophie Harfield and Mario Goncalves

Places are still available at the MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition... Do it!) course which focusses on re-educating children and their parents into healthier ways of life, taking in diet and exercise.

The ten-week course is the second of its kind to be run in Swindon this year under Sainsbury's supermarkets' banner, with the eight children to have already completed their sessions losing between three and six centimetres from their waistlines, while increasing their self confidence and fitness levels.

Course leader Pat McDonald, Sainsbury's community food and health advisor, said: "With so many diets around, people struggle to know what healthy eating is these days.

"It's lots better to eat healthily and learn rather than get sucked into diet offers.

"The emphasis is on fun, as some of the children are scared of exercising because they are so big, so the things we do can be dancing to pop music or doing a martial art."

Part of the commitment is for parents to attend the ten sessions with their children, which helps lead towards a healthier family lifestyle, said Pat.

"Most of us as families don't exercise enough, but you find whole families taking on what we teach the children.

"Older ones who come along do take ownership of it for themselves with the food side of things, rather than it just being a diet.

Tamara Hadebe and Samantha Pockett completing their MEND programme

"And we know mums are on a budget, so we help with ideas for meals to make the most of what's in season.

"Parents have to commit as well, and that's why it works so well as they start to realise maybe they weren't doing so well in that area."

The group is set targets each week, which start with drinking more water and eating a wholegrain cereal for breakfast.

The full ten week course starts on Wednesday, May 13, but an information session is being held tomorrow night at Greendown School for families who would like to know more.

Contact Pat McDonald on 07949 775037 for more information.

9:59am Tuesday 6th May 2008

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