SLIMMING World consultant Emma Perry is on a mission to tackle childhood obesity.

Emma, from High Legh, runs a group at Bexton Primary School in Knutsford, and worked in children and family services for 20 years, where she saw the impact on children and young people who were struggling with their weight.

“One in three children in year 6 in the UK are overweight or obese, and this can have lifelong consequences to their physical and emotional health and well-being,” said Emma.

“They are also more likely to develop conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and pre-diabetes and are more likely to become overweight adults.

“Working in children’s services and in schools I felt compelled to play my part in trying to improve the health of young people in my local area.

“This is why I trained as a Slimming World consultant as they offer unique support to young people with our Family Affair programme. “Adolescents between the ages of 11 and 15 attend a group for free if they are accompanied by a fee-paying guardian.

“The emphasis for Free2Go members is around healthy eating and increasing physical activity rather than weight loss. It is about equipping young people to be able to make healthier choices and swaps and create new lifelong habits and build their self-esteem.

“I don’t think many families are aware of the Family Affair scheme and I am on a mission to spread the word.

All groups offer care, support and kindness and I would love to welcome more young people and their families through the doors so that they can get into better habits at a younger age and not be an adult battling with their weight.”

Emma runs a group on Thursdays at 7pm at Bexton Primary School, and can be contacted on 07825 348164.