Is this the way to fight rising childhood obesity? asks Thame GP 26/02/10

A THAME doctor is concerned that Thame’s leisure centre is no longer providing sufficient opportunities for young teenagers to keep fit.

Until last week, there were two sessions at the weekend for 11-14 year olds to use the aerobic machines at the gym at Thame Leisure Centre but these have now been stopped because “there is no staff member trained to supervise it” (quote gym manager), says Dr Helena Richards.

She asks: “How does this fit in with initiatives for countering rising childhood obesity?

Dr Richards has written the following letter to managers at the leisure centre and also to the SODC Councillor responsible for leisure but had not, by today, received any replies:

Dear Mr Service
I am writing to you to express my disappointment that Thame Leisure Centre has discontinued the youth gym sessions which ran on Saturday and Sunday afternoons for 11 years +.

These sessions were ideal for this age group who are less talented at team sport and have become self conscious about swimming pools.

I was informed today that these have stopped because there are no staff trained to work with under 14?s on gym equipment.

There is a vast amount of local and national political rhetoric on the subject of childhood obesity but it seems that provision for youngsters is never a priority when it comes to delivery.

I notice that exercise classes at Thame Leisure Centre are for 16 years + and gym membership available only to 14 years +.
I would be very interested to hear what the intentions of Nexus and SODC are for providing physical activity opportunities now for secondary school youngsters who are ineligible to purchase a gym membership.

I look forward to your reply,
Yours sincerely
Dr. Helena Richards