Classes start for obese children

The sessions offer advice on changing bad food habits.

An NHS drop-in centre for children battling with weight problems is being tested in Nottinghamshire.

Dieticians and nurses will be on hand at the weekly sessions in Kirkby-in-Ashfield to offer advice to parents and teenagers on better food habits.

The scheme aims to help them reduce weight by providing information about a healthy balanced diet.

Childhood obesity is on the increase in the UK with 20% of children considered to be overweight.

Balanced diet

The pilot scheme - called Food & Fitness 4 Fat Loss - will be run by Ashfield and Mansfield District Primary Care Trust (PCT) in Kirkby-in-Ashfield on Wednesday afternoons.

If successful, it will be rolled out to other parts of the district.

Lynn Hagin, a chief dietician for the trust based at Kings Mill Hospital in Ashfield, said: "Children, teenagers and parents of overweight children will be given the opportunity to discuss any concerns they have with their weight and/or fitness.

"Advice will be given on how to eat in accordance with the balance of good health to encourage children to become a healthy weight for their height."