Gym plan for obese children

Obesity in childhood is a growing problem

Two instructors at a Darlington fitness centre are tackling obesity in children.

The latest research by ChildWise shows that more than 75% of all children aged between 11 and 16 never exercise.

More than half of them accepted they were fat and lazy, but blamed schools and councils for failing to motivate them to exercise and eat properly.

Sue Spinks and Karen Kenny - who run First Step 2 Fitness - have devised their own programme to help overweight youngsters.

Ms Kenny, who is a new mother herself, said she is very concerned that youngsters take little or no exercise.

She said: "More than 8% of six-year-olds and 15% of 15-year-olds in England are classified as obese.

"We are trying to get children back into physical activity.

"[Parents] tell me that their children do not get enough physical activity, such as PE.

"They don't seem to have games lessons at school like we used to do."