An after-school weight management course currently running at Pembroke School has been heralded as a success by a new study.

The MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition ... Do It!) programme is a free 10-week, after-school weight management course where overweight children and their families learn how to eat healthily and enjoy physical activity.

Pembroke School is currently running a MEND programme in the town for children aged seven to 13.

The programme will be delivered by officers from Pembrokeshire county council’s Sport Pembrokeshire, Pembroke-shire Youth and by staff at Public Health Wales, with funding from the Welsh Assembly.

The study showed that participants in the programme benefited from weight loss, improved self-esteem and physical activity levels, as well as improvements in their general health.

Helen Stewart, MEND programme manager for Pembrokeshire, said: “This new study provides solid evidence that the MEND programme helps children lose weight and keep it off, as well as improving their self-esteem.

MEND is planning to run three more schemes in Pembrokeshire to make the health benefits available to more children.

For more information or to register for a MEND programme in Pembroke-shire call Helen on 07958 438785 or visit mendcentral.org.