Plans in place to tackle child obesity issue (From Warrington Guardian)

Plans in place to tackle child obesity issue

CHILD obesity is being tackled head-on in Warrington schools by a new initiative focused on healthy eating.

Warrington School Meals Catering Service, which is aware of the healthy eating issues affecting children across the UK, is helping to combat the trend of eating junk food by increasing the amount of healthy and fresh meals on school menus.

Over the next few months, the group will plan and trial healthy options on school menus, returning to traditional, good quality, home-made dishes.

Gordon Carson, catering service manager for Warrington Borough Council, said: "As professional caterers, we believe in the health of the young people in Warrington. We plan to minimise fat, sugar and salt, and increase fibre, thereby kick-starting healthy eating in schools."

The initiative will work alongside the council's food and health steering group, bringing together education, NHS and Primary Care Trust experts to introduce healthy values for children in all aspects of their lives.

The new scheme will be phased into schools across the town over the next few months.