Parents ‘should adopt family-based approach to weight loss’

Parents should adopt a family-based approach to weight loss if they not only want to lose weight fast themselves but also aim to help their children shed a few pounds.

This is according to Tam Fry, spokesman for the National Obesity Forum, who said that such an approach is "the only way to go".

He suggested that parents should pay closer attention to the nutritional information printed on food packaging so that they can make healthier food choices.

Mr Fry explained that some cereals are "stuffed with high fat levels" so parents should look out for healthier alternatives.

His comments follow reports from the Manchester Evening News that overweight families in Manchester are to be offered free healthy lifestyle lessons as the MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition… Do it!) programme expands into the city.

"It's a very well worked out programme that is targeted at exactly the right people," said Mr Fry.

Do you check the nutritional information of the food you buy?