A new course designed to reduce the level of childhood obesity in the district has been developed by health staff.

Families across Bradford and Keighley are being invited to sign up for the courses, which are specifically designed for the parents of overweight children aged five to seven.

Latest figures from the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) reveal 22 per cent of four and five-year-olds in the Bradford district are either overweight or obese.

And the programme, which measures the height and weight of reception and year six children at primary school, shows that a third of ten and 11-year-olds are overweight or obese.

The new B Healthy programme is a parent-only course that includes an initial assessment of the children’s weight, their diet, eating habits and level of current physical activity.

The programme combines advice and practical instruction on healthy eating, techniques to increase play, physical activities and self-esteem, as well as support for parents from health staff.

Martin Earnshaw, of the obesity team at NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds, said: “The new B Healthy courses are one of the successful initiatives being run in Bradford and Airedale to help children be a healthy weight.

“This new parent-only programme runs during term times when the children are at school.

“We offer a friendly, relaxed atmosphere to encourage families to give new things a go, and to show parents how they can be supportive and involve the whole family in making healthier choices and following an active lifestyle.

“Many families are struggling with similar issues when asking their children to eat a healthy diet and be more active.

“This programme should help them to understand their child’s behaviour and what they as a parent can do to support them.

“Families are encouraged to attend each of the sessions because parental and peer support can help make long-lasting changes to a child’s eating habits and level of physical activity.”

The groups meet weekly for seven weeks, and the first two programmes will take place at St Edmund’s Nursery School and Children’s Centre in Girlington , Bradford, from Wednesday, September 26, and The Leisure Centre, Keighley, from Tuesday, October 2.

Families interested in taking part in a course should contact the obesity team on (01274) 202801 to find out more about the programmes available.