OVERWEIGHT children and their parents will be given a free exercise and nutrition course to teach them how to lead a healthier lifestyle.

The Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it (MEND) programme is aimed at seven to 13-year-old's and includes a supermarket tour, tasting session, cooking skills, exercises, and games.

Doctor David Rodgers from Ongar Health Centre said courses like this are becoming very important.

He added: “Obesity is a problem and it has become more of a problem in the last few years than it used to be and I am certainly seeing more obese children. Often, because their parents are obese they over feed them and it does tend to follow a family trend. Tackling it in childhood is the best place to start."

The course is run in partnership with Epping Forest District Council and Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.

NHS West Essex senior dietitian and MEND co-ordinator Rebecca Margetts said: “Our MEND graduates have made some great friends and finished the programme with more self-confidence."

The Epping Forest course is being held at West Hatch High School in Chigwell between 6pm and 8pm on Monday's and Wednesday's and starts on September 21.

To book a place contact Rebecca Margetts on 01279 827238 or email rebecca.margetts@westessexpct.nhs.uk.

For more information about the course visit mendprogramme.org.