Jemma Walton reports.

IT might say low fat on the label – but will it actually help you to lose weight?

A pack of biscuits or a yoghurt might be low in fat, but once you start looking at the amount of sugar in food you soon realise that it could actually make you pile on the pounds.

This is what shocked mum Sue Pask the most when she started attending the MEND programme at Stanground Sports Centre with her nine-year-old, Michaela.

"A lot of things, like yoghurts, might say that they're low fat, but they won't help you to lose weight because they're full of sugar," said Sue, of Manor Close, Yaxley.

"And although some brands might say their biscuits and cakes are low fat, they're really not. And they're so full of preservatives, additives and sugar that they're just as much junk food as anything else."

Michaela started the MEND programme at the end of February. Since then she has lost five pounds, shaved two inches from her waist, and dropped two dress sizes, going from an 18 to a 14.

Her mum says the key has been for her to cut out the junk and do more exercise.

She said: "Before, she used to be snacking on crisps all the time, but we have swapped these for French Fries now, which are much lower in fat and better for you.

"She also goes on the trampoline a lot more now, meaning she isn't sitting around playing on computer games or watching the telly and eating like she used to.

"I have also made some changes to my diet – the MEND programme gave us some really good ideas, like having a grilled mushroom on toast with a little bit of very light cheese for breakfast.

"Eating healthily doesn't mean you have to eat boring things, it just means you need to change a few of your habits, and make sure you look carefully at what you're buying.

"For example, now I don't buy anything that has got more than 5g of sugar in it per 100g."

Sue said the MEND programme was an eye-opener, and even though she has a disability that affects her movement she will make the effort to take Michaela to Stanground gym a few times a week in the summer holidays, where she enjoys doing everything but the weights.

Michaela said: "I wanted to lose weight because people said things about my weight. I am pleased with the weight I have lost, and I like doing exercise – now when I do it I don't get as out of puff as I used to.

"And I don't need to eat as much as I did. The ice cream van has just been round, and I wanted one, but I said to myself 'No, I don't need that, and so I won't get one.'"

Top tips for parents

• Make sure your child eats five portions of fruit and veg per day. Eating that much means they won't get hungry and eat junk, or have cravings for sweet, salty or fatty foods.


• Children should have at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day.


• Reduce time spent in front of the TV and computer to a maximum of two hours a day.


• Give them water rather than fizzy frinks, which can contain up to eight teaspoons of sugar each.