An overweight nine-year-old boy who was known as "fatty" has lost more than half a stone in weight and regained his confidence thanks to a healthy eating course.
Robert Hostler, of Primrose Hill, Kings Langley, signed up to the Mend scheme in October last year after hearing about it at his Bedmond school.
He said: "The most important thing I learnt was knowing which sugars are good and which are bad sugars.
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"I also learnt about label-reading and how to tell the fat content of different foods.
"I would definitely recommend it to other people."
The ten-week programme, held at the Woodlands Centre, in Linnet Road, Abbots Langley, is part of a national programme to educate children and their families about healthy eating and exercise.
It is run by Watford YMCA and funded by the Big Lottery.
Robert's mum, Tegwin, said that she decided to sign up because Robert came out of school one day with a note about the programme and, because, she had been worried about his weight, they decided to do something about it.
Robert, a pupil at Bedmond Village Primary School, said: "The most important thing I learnt was knowing which sugars are good and which are bad sugars.
Mend, which stands for "Mind, Exercise, Nutrition...Do it", is a fun, free after-school course, for children aged between seven and 13-years-old, which helps families learn how to be fitter, healthier and happier.
Programme manager, Jess O'Gorman, said: "Mend is a unique course that supports bigger kids by getting the whole family involved in making healthier choices and following a more active lifestyle.
"The children that completed the Mend Programme we ran in Abbots Langley in the Autumn term got trimmer, fitter and more confident, and most importantly they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
"We're hoping lots more families will sign up for the two Watford courses which are starting in April, because Mend is free, fun and really works."
Tegwin said: "I had been worried about Robert's weight for some time.
"He had been putting on weight, people noticed it because he is only nine."
According to Tegwin, Robert's typical breakfast would consist of four slices of white toast, but now he is more inclined to tuck into fruit or wholemeal bread, and is aware of the sugar content in this daily diet.
The programme involves two evenings a week, during which the children and their families spend time in an educational session, followed by active games in the gym.
Tegwin said: "They would run around in the gym playing a real variety of games and come out at the ends of it sweating and red, but laughing their heads off.
"Robert made a lot of friends and had so much fun during the gym sessions, that the kids who took part in it didn't even know that they were exercising.
"He looked forward to those gym sessions every week because it was so much fun."
Tegwin said: "Robert used to get called "fatty" by his 14-year-old sister, or kids at school, but now he is so much more confident, and the teasing has also stopped.
"He eats fruit and vegetables, and makes sure he label reads, which is something Mend taught us both to do."
She explained that since he completed the programme, Robert is happy to go without sugary foods.
She said: "I learnt a huge amount, too.
"Before the programme, I didn't know how to label-read, but now we are both aware of how much fat and sugar content is in different foods.
"I have noticed a real difference, Robert has lost half a stone and is really chuffed."
Not only is Robert a happier person, but according to Tegwin, her life has been made much easier, having to spend less time convincing him to eat healthily, and worrying about his diet.
She said: "On the weekend I made home-made soup, and instead of having to convince Robert to try it, he asked for more."
The Abbots Langley programme will run from April 7, on Monday and Friday 6.15 - 8.15pm on a first-come-first-served basis.
If you wouold like to register for the scheme, visit www.mendprogramme.org or call Jess on 01923 662222.
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