A fitness programme designed to help children become healthier and happier has been launched at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield (EIS Sheffield).

The Fitness Academy aims to engage obese children and their families in physical activity.

The regular, weekly sessions will also open to those who have completed the successful MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it!) programme.

Sessions will focus on all over body fitness using different circuits, which vary in difficulty each week.

There will also be team building exercises, some with leadership roles and others with a problem to solve designed to boost children's confidence and self esteem.

Children will be split into teams with nominated leaders and there will be a score system in place based on behavior.

Jayne Naylor, programming and development manager at EIS Sheffield, said: "The 10 week Fitness Academy sessions aim to make a real difference in children's attitudes to fitness.

"It is about getting the whole family involved physical activity, but also providing new opportunities for those who have already engaged in exercise via the MEND programme to keep them fit and healthy."

A family assessment will take place before and after the 10 week programme to measure progress.