Story added: 8th July 2014

As part of National Childhood Obesity Week, the Community Sports Foundation Health team have been visiting Norfolk secondary schools to deliver obesity awareness sessions.

The team will visit three of our Hub sites over the course of the week to give fun and engaging workshops and assemblies to students.

On Monday, pupils at Ormiston Venture Academy in Gorleston took part in a lunchtime workshop where they learnt firsthand the effects obesity can have on the human body.

Students got the chance to try on a ‘weighted-suit’ which simulates the physical difficulties obesity can cause, and also to examine a mock sample of human fat.

The team visited Northgate High in Dereham on Tuesday to give an interactive assembly, which included a “Red or Black” style quiz to get students thinking about local obesity statistics and sugar levels in some of our favourite foods.

They will take their message to North Walsham High School tomorrow.

Toby Nickerson, CSF Health Development Officer, said:

“It’s great to be part of the National Childhood Obesity Week campaign and help spread the message in schools.”

“Nothing is more effective than face-to-face interaction – it’s the best way of communicating the issues that obesity can cause. The students had a great time with the props – the ‘weighted-suit’ was a particular favourite!”

One in three children in some parts of Norfolk are overweight or obese and the World Health Organisation considers childhood obesity as one of the biggest health threats the world faces in the 21st century.

The free sessions were delivered in partnership with Norfolk County Council Public Health.

The CSF Health team will be running a Fit4it Camp this Summer for 12-16 year olds. The week long course – including a two night residential at Kingswood activity camp – is for participants who are struggling to control or maintain a healthy weight.