OVERWEIGHT children and their families are being offered free courses to learn more about diet and exercise.

One in five children in Oxfordshire are classed as overweight or obese by the time they are four, rising to one in three by the time they are 11, according to Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust.

The Mind Exercise Nutrition Do It! programme (Mend) was launched in Oxford last year to combat child obesity in the county.

So far it has helped 40 children and their families in the county adopt a healthier lifestyle and shed weight.

Now Oxfordshire PCT is launching a new wave of courses to help 60 more children and their families over the current school year.

The twice weekly sessions, which combine lessons on healthy eating with fun activities, aim to educate children between seven and 13 and their families to change their way of thinking about food and exercise.

Oxford classes — held twice a week at St Gregory the Great Catholic School in Cricket Road — are already under way, while a programme launches in Banbury next month.

Community Health Oxfordshire — the health provider arm of the PCT — is also offering 15 places on the course, worth £400 per child, completely free of charge on a first come first served basis.

Mend manager Jo Watson said: “This programme really changes the lives of young people, their family and friends.

“Each session is designed to be relaxed and comfortable to encourage the child or young person to give new things a go.

“We show parents how they can be supportive, and involve the whole family in making healthier choices, promoting and following an active lifestyle.

“Children become healthier and fitter while their self esteem and confidence increase greatly.”

Leticia Bradbury, a dietetic assistant at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital, said the classes would be full of fun ways for children to enjoy preparing and eating healthy foods, including a special trip to a supermarket.

She said: “There are three bene-ficial aspects to the programme.

“Through all of the courses we have seen a reduction in body mass indexes, which measure body fat ratios, and waist measurements for children.

“We’ve also seen an increase in healthy eating and activities.

“And it is also great because parents and children are learning about these things together.”

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk Families interested in signing up should call 01865 235431.