East Lindsey has FAB Kids

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Young people in East Lindsey are being encouraged to become more fit and active through a new project being launched by East Lindsey District Council.

Health experts recommend that young people have at least 60 minutes of exercise per day to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to prevent health problems, but how many young people actually do this?

NHS statistics show that less that 3% of 11 year olds in the UK take enough exercise. Worryingly, in the East Lindsey district alone 20.2% of children are classed as obese, this is higher than any other District in the region.

To help address this, East Lindsey District Council is launching a free sports referral programme for seven to 11 year olds in January 2010 known as FAB (Fit Active Bodies) Kids.

The Council's Exercise Referral Specialists will be working closely with young people with weight and emotional issues in the coastal resorts of Skegness and Mablethorpe as part of a 12-week programme. Each session will include exciting and fun activities that young people can enjoy.

GP, parents and school nurses can all refer young people onto the programme but by doing so the young person is expected to commit to attending two sessions each week for the 12 weeks they're signed up.

Portfolio Holder for Health, Councillor Sandra Harrison, explained: 'Particularly along the coast we face some unique health challenges and we are working hard to encourage people who wouldn't normally take part in physical activity to do so. As well as being a great opportunity for young people to improve their health, they can also make new friends. This alongside the Council's other health initiatives, such as HEELERS (Health Exercise East Lindsey Exercise Referral Scheme), gives the people of East Lindsey some excellent opportunities to improve their quality of life.'

It is hoped that when they have completed their 12 weeks FAB Kids will join a local club so they can continue to build their confidence and enjoy exercise on a regular basis.

The FAB Kids sessions, which will be launched in the New Year, will take place at Mablethorpe Primary School each Monday and Thursday between 3.30pm and 4.30pm; and at Skegness Infant School on Tuesday and Friday between 4pm and 5pm.

The FAB kids programme is one of a number of health programmes run by the Council in partnership with the NHS to help address health issues in East Lindsey. HEELERS (Health and Exercise – East Lindsey Exercise Referral Scheme) has already worked with over 800 residents in the last year. In this time they have lost a combined weight of 4187kg.

For more information on the programme or to sign up to it, please contact Exercise Referral Specialists, Charlotte Swift on 01507 601111 or David Clark on 01507 472129.