A CAMPAIGN has been launched to encourage children and families to eat more healthily and take on a more active lifestyle.

To combat rising obesity rates, Oxfordshire County Council has launched the Eat Well, Move More campaign, which was launched on Saturday at children’s centres across the county.

Activities and food were themed around the topic, highlighting the issues and passing on information about the campaign and about healthy eating to parents.

Steve Tegg, 43, was at Bicester Children’s Centre, Brookside, with daughters Lucy, five, and Maisie, two.

He said: “I think it’s absolutely a good idea.

“It’s the ideal place to do it because you have got somewhere you can collect information from and discuss it with people there who will know more about it, then go away with a much better understanding of what your children should be eating.

“It is obviously very important.”

Paul Barrow, 34, from Ardley, near Bicester, brought along daughter Olivia, five and Zara, two.

He said: “We try to eat as healthily as possible as a family and I think it’s quite important.

“It’s definitely good to put the awareness out there.”

Seven per cent of children aged four to five, and over 15 per cent of those aged 10 to 11 in Oxfordshire are classified obese, and less than half take part in at least three hours of sport per week, according to the Child Health Profile for Oxfordshire 2013.

Hilary Hibbert-Biles, council cabinet member for public health and the voluntary sector, has pledged to fit more exercise into her own working week.

She said: “It can be all too easy to let children spend a bit too much time on the sofa over the summer.

“While it’s great to relax after a long school year, it’s also important to make sure we all stay active during the holidays.”

The 11 children’s centres taking part in the drive are Ace Children’s Centre in Chipping Norton, Bicester Children’s Centre in Brookside, Britannia Road in Banbury, Donnington Doorstep in East Oxford, East Oxford Children’s Centre, Kaleidoscope in Kidlington, North Oxford Children’s Centre, Rainbow Children’s Centre in Henley, Rose Hill and Littlemore Children’s Centre, South Abingdon Children’s Centre, and Stephen Freeman Children’s Centre in Didcot.

As part of the campaign, families will be encouraged to sign up to the Change4Life website, nhs.uk.

Change4Life, where they can create a personalised activity plan and access tips and advice.