Scheme targets toddlers

Mini-MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition ... Do It!), run by the obesity prevention and treatment voluntary organisation MEND, is being funded by Nutricia, a manufacturer of infant and toddler products. The pilot is taking place at five centres - two in Lewisham, London, and one each in Hillingdon, London, and South Tyneside and Plymouth. Based on the MEND scheme for seven- to 13-year-olds, it includes weekly parent-child exercise, parent discussion groups and children's activities. An evaluation will take place in January, and training for children's centre workers will start in February. Paul Sacher,...