Supporting healthy families in Cootamundra

A healthy lifestyle course to help improve children’s eating and exercise habits is set to start in Cootamundra this week.

The NSW Parenting Program is a family oriented healthy weight program to assist children aged seven to 13 who are above their ideal weight to become fitter, healthier and happier.

Greater Southern Area Health Service (GSAHS) launched the program in Queanbeyan in late July with local families taking part in fun two-hour sessions, twice a week over nine weeks.

The program addresses eating and exercise habits to improve children’s fitness, nutrition and self-esteem.

Program Manager Dr Ingrid Evans said: “The results from this initial program in Queanbeyan were outstanding. The children really enjoyed the exercise sessions and one mother told me that she doesn’t have to nag her eight year old son as he is now making healthy food choices.”

“After seeing first hand the benefits to families, I highly recommend the course to families in Cootamundra who are looking for a free, high quality, healthy lifestyle course delivered by health professionals.”

Places are limited. Call 6932 3095 or go to www.mendprogramme.org to join the Term Four Program, or to sign up early for Term One in 2010.

The NSW Parenting Program is also being run across GSAHS in Deniliquin, Tumut, Wagga, Finley and Queanbeyan.

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Media note: for interviews contact Andrew Gow, Manager Health Development, on 0419 424 520.