Mother puts heavy son on regime

Thomas and his sister Bernie are training for a charity fun run on 31 May

A Wiltshire mother got tough on her eight-year-old son's lifestyle when she realised he weighed as much as she did.

Amanda Broomhall, 36, from Swindon put Thomas on a diet and exercise regime which cut his weight from 8st (51kg) to 7st 4lbs (46kg) in five months.

"Thomas has always been a strapping lad, but when his weight was identical to mine, I knew something had to change," she said.

Thomas now plans to do a charity fun run with nine-year-old sister, Bernie.

More active

"The first thing was his diet," Mrs Broomhall said.

"In the past, if he liked it, he ate it, and I partly encouraged this by buying sweets and other junk food.

"So that stopped and having chocolate or crisps became an occasional treat or reward, rather than a daily routine."

Thomas was enrolled on a children's fitness scheme called MEND (Mind Exercise Nutrition Do It), run by Swindon Primary Care Trust and Swindon Borough Council.

"I've learned how to make meals more healthy - for example grilling instead of frying," said Mrs Broomhall.

"And Thomas is beginning to understand that all the sugar in fizzy drinks and sweets is not good for him.

"Diet is of course only half the story. Thomas is so much more active now. He goes swimming, walks to school and spends less time in front of the TV or computer."

Thomas added: "My friends keep calling me a fatty... and I don't like it."

Thomas and Bernie are now training for the Festival of Sport fun run, which take place on Saturday, 31 May, at Coate Water Country Park in Swindon.