New classes aim to keep kids fit and healthy

Posted on January 27, 2007

With childhood obesity on the increase, fitness enthusiast Caroline Corcoran has opened a unique group for children called Fitkid.

Fitkid aims to put the fun back into fitness through games involving physical activity and play, and helps children learn the importance of being fit and healthy - instead of eating junk food and sitting much of the time in front of a TV or games console.

Caroline, who is a mother and grandmother, and her instructors are qualified to a national standard and hold appropriate certificates.

There are around one million obese children under 16 years of age. The soaring rates have led to an increase in childhood type II diabetes and will lead to more cases of heart disease, osteoarthritis and some cancers.

If parents choose to ignore their children's expanding waist lines and allow them to be couch potatoes, at least one fifth of boys and one third of girls will be obese by 2020.

The British Medical Association recommends improved access to sport and recreation facilities within local communities, so Caroline and her team have launched the classes in Leighton Buzzard, Eaton Bray and Dunstable to encourage children, aged five and over, to feel motivated by the sessions and, most importantly, enjoy taking part in fitness activities.

Children who attend the club at Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre or Eaton Bray Village Hall can achieve badges and certificates and other awards, including baseball caps and t-shirts, for their individual progress. Play is noncompetitive.

"All children are welcome - even the non-sporty ones," says Caroline, who lives in Totternhoe . "We want to show kids that fitness is fun."

Totternhoe Beavers tried out Caroline's session and put their new-found skills towards Health and Fitness badges.

Caroline is offering a free introductory Fitkid session for all children and parents who are interested in fun fitness. For more information call Caroline on 08445 606 432.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 23 January 2007