Last updated 15:52, Wednesday, 02 April 2008

WITH more and more children in the UK becoming overweight, the condition has been described as a modern epidemic.

According to recent surveys around 27 per cent of children are overweight and research suggests the main problem is the continual reduction in the amount of exercise children take.

In order for children to lose weight, it often needs the involvement of the whole family to implement long term changes to their diet, health and exercise levels. To help families in the Copeland area, North Country Leisure are introducing a range of family activities throughout its Leisure Centres during April to encourage families to get fit together and have fun as a family. Activities on offer including fun and games sessions, free children’s swim vouchers and free have a go bowling sessions!

“Poor diet and lack of exercise has been proven to lead to health problems in children and adults” said Alan Burns, Manager at Copeland Bowls and Sports Centre and Copeland Swimming Pool. “We all have to do our bit to encourage more people who would not normally take part in physical activity to come and have a go.”

“The sessions we have on offer across our leisure centres are available for all different levels of fitness and ability, so new members can find something which appeals to them. Our family activities mean everyone can take part and hopefully find something else they would want to do on a more regular basis”. There are a range of activities for you to try, from badminton, five-a-side football and roller-skating, to netball, swimming and a variety of fitness classes.

The sessions on offer this April include:

Fun & Games Sessions for all the Family! Sessions are running on Sunday 20th & 27th of April from 10.00 – 12.00pm at Whitehaven Sports Centre, call 01946 695666 for more information. Free child’s swim voucher are available for all children attending the Easter swim school at Copeland Swimming Pool, call 01946 696049.

There are also free ‘have-a-go’ bowling sessions until 30th April at Copeland Bowls & Sports Centre, call 01946 815100 for more details or to book.