This week it emerged Sussex is sitting on an obesity timebomb with large numbers of children and adults being classed as dangerousy overweight. One Sussex MP believes it is time the NHS made gym membership affordable for all.

SIOBHAN RYAN reports.

A number of MPs have called for gym exercise to be made available on the NHS for those who can't afford the membership fees.

Hastings and Rye MP Michael Foster believes tax relief on gym membership fees would be another incentive for those unsure about making the commitment.

He said: "The tax system is a useful way of encouraging people into good behaviour.

"We know that those who go to the gym are likely to improve their health and so reduce reliance on the NHS - so tax relief could even end up saving taxpayers' money in the long run."

Being overweight can contribute to chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers and costs the NHS in Sussex millions of pounds a year.

Health experts believe that unless something is done to stop the increase in obesity it will overtake smoking as the country's biggest killer.

They say the problem has arisen because of environmental and behavioural changes that are a result of modern lifestyles, which have led to people being less active and consuming more high energy foods.

Mr Foster said: "The ideal would be to have the idea of healthy eating and regular exercise being the norm instead of something that a few people do.

"I support the idea of having the gym sessions available for people who need it but I would also like to see tax relief on gym membership provided as an added incentive for others.

"It is terrible to learn that people nowadays are facing the possibility of living shorter and less well lives than their parents because of their lifestyle.

"That really should not be happening.

"Anything that may help tip the balance in favour of getting active must be a good thing."

Marissa Mason and her son Mark Spall regularly enjoy going on bike rides and other activities together but it wasn't always the case.

Last year, Mark, 11, weighed more than ten stone and spent a lot of time at home instead of being out and about.

He and Marissa, 32, from Whitehawk, Brighton, did not have a particularly healthy diet.

It was clear something needed to be done and when a school nurse mentioned referring the pair to a Mend (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It) programme, they agreed to give it a go.

The Mend scheme has been attended by dozens of families in Brighton and Hove and other parts of Sussex.

The courses are generally run by primary care trusts in association with local councils and are open to overweight children aged between seven and 13.

The courses aim to help not just the child but also the whole family adopt a more active and healthy lifestyle.

At the sessions, families take part in discussions about nutrition and behaviour before spending time doing fun activities such as games and swimming.

Marissa, who works for the Children and Young Person's Trust in Brighton and Hove, said: "We got a great deal out of the project.

"We are eating very well, doing more exercise and Mark has become much more confident and outgoing.

"We have learnt a lot of things about diet and avoiding high levels of sugar, fat and salt.

"We also know how to double check food labels.

"Something may advertise that it has hardly any fat but on the other hand it could have double the normal amount of sugar.

"It takes me ages going around the supermarket now because I am checking everything.

"The programme was over ten weeks and was slow building.

"The aim is to encourage people to change their lifestyle gradually and change things.

"We are very pleased with how it has turned out.

"It is not just about losing weight.

"It is about altering the way we both think about food and exercise and it has made a huge difference to us."

Marissa and Mark, who goes to St Joseph's Primary School in Brighton, are now on a Mend graduate programme, where they meet up once a week with other people who have been on the programme for exercise and theory sessions.

The Brighton and Hove Mend programme has been running for a year and 38 families so far have been helped.

Two schemes are run each term and a further 24 families have just started this week.

Community nutritionist Jannette Smith said: "The programme is not about a slimming club or going on a diet.

"It is about giving families all the advice and information they need to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle so children have the opportunity to grow and develop.

"By reaching them now it will hopefully stay with them as they grow up.

"There is a lot they can look at ,whether it is advice about the five different food groups, the pitfalls to look out for when eating out or what to put in lunch boxes.

"The mind element of the project also encourages people to look at what causes kids to eat too much, who their role models are and what their behaviour is like and how it can change."

Other projects aimed at helping people lose weight include exercise referral schemes where GPs can arrange discounted or free sessions at gyms and sports clubs.

  • Families can be referred to the Brighton and Hove Mend programme through the school nurse, teacher or GP. They can also selfrefer.

More details are available by calling 01273 431703 or emailingmend@ bhfood.org.uk.

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