THE issue of childhood obesity in Carlisle has been highlighted in a locally- produced film which aims to encourage youngsters to make healthy choices.

It’s part of Cumbria County Council’s aim to combat obesity in the county – but particularly in Carlisle.

Jack Runs Up The Hill has been jointly produced by Film Cumbria members Eden Films, Cloudscape animations and composer Sean Whytock.

It was made with £4,968 funding through the county council’s healthy weights grant.

Deborah Sweeney, Eden Films writer and producer, and mum of four boys, spoke about their involvement.

She said: “The issue was something I feel really strongly about.

“The importance of keeping children active and eating healthy is a priority for most parents and it’s difficult because children can’t play outside as much anymore because of heavy traffic and worries about people taking children away.”

They set out to create a Pinocchio-type story to show, in a non-judgmental way, that Jack couldn’t reach his full potential until he made changes to his lifestyle.

Telling the story sensitively, Cloudscape created an animated, overweight character called Jack.

He transforms into a healthy real life boy – played by Deborah’s seven-year-old son Cillian – towards the end of the film.

It also featured children from Stanwix School.

Deborah’s husband Peadar, Eden Films director, added: ‘It has been a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with local creative people to highlight an important issue.”

Cumbria has a level of 66.9 per cent of adults who are classed as having excess weight. In Carlisle that figure is 68 per cent, more than three per cent higher than the national average of 64.8.

In Carlisle, 19 per cent of children in year six are deemed to have excess weight.

In January the Government updated its action plan which aims to reduce England’s rate of childhood obesity within the next 10 years.

It says nearly a third of children, aged two to 15, are overweight or obese.

Younger generations are becoming obese at earlier ages and staying obese for longer, which can lead to health conditions later in life such as type 2 diabetes.

The plan includes the aims of introducing a soft drinks levy, taking out 20 per cent of sugar in products, helping children enjoy an hour of physical activity every day and clearer food labeling.

Film Cumbria, which also produced The Guardians project, bringing to life statues around Carlisle to encourage voting among young people, is a social enterprise.

The film is available on You Tube at: youtu.be/lWjUEL91uAs.

It has already been shown at Inglewood School in Harraby, Carlisle.

It is set to be distributed to schools, community groups and other organisations.

The film has been shared on social media by parents and was even picked up by a school in Thailand.