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A NEW dieting group starting in Wotton-under-Edge aims to tackle childhood obesity.

Fiona Langborne this week launched a new Slimming World group in Wotton with the main aim of helping young people fight the bulge.

Ms Langborne, who herself has been a member of Slimming World for four years and has lost two stone, says the new group is not about achieving the coveted size zero but adopting a healthy lifestyle.

She said: "We don't anyone to feel self conscious especially at that age but we want to encourage them to adopt healthier life styles.

"We won't be banning snacks we want the young people to still enjoy what they eat and be able, in moderation, to eat what they want.

"I believe, with healthy living, it is about educating people and the younger you start the better."

With one quarter of boys and one in five girls aged 11-15 overweight and the numbers are rising Ms Langborne believes this new group will help teenagers and their parents sort out their eating habits.

"If we can get a child to sit and eat a bowl of cereal instead of grabbing a chocolate bar on the way to school then we can make a difference," she said.

The new Slimming World meetings will be held every Monday night at the Civic Centre in Wotton and is open to anyone hoping to lose a few pounds. The sessions will be free to 11-15 year olds but they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

"The idea is that parents come along as well because it's all very well telling the teenager what they could do for a healthy meal but they are not usually the ones buying the food or cooking the meals," said Ms Langborne.

Mother and daughter, Louisa and Chloe, 12, Hopkins from Kingswood, are one family hoping to take advantage of this new Slimming World scheme.

Mrs Hopkins said: "I'd been to Slimming World before myself so I know it works and when Chloe said that she wanted to come along with me to the new class I spoke to Fiona the consultant who explained that there is no pressure, no yo-yo dieting just encouragement and support to live a healthier lifestyle with lots of fun thrown in."

11:23am Friday 28th March 2008

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