NHS Worcestershire is using ZigZag dance mats as part of its new family weight management programmes.

The new programmes, known as FRESH, have been developed with the dance mats as a component of the two-hour weekly sessions, attended by children from seven to 13-years-old, and their families.

Sarah Waddington, health improvement co-ordinator at NHS Worcestershire, said the mats have become an important part of motivating youngsters most in need of physical activity.

She said: "We know from recent data that one third of year six children in the county are overweight, and this figure has increased from the previous year, so a fun engaging FRESH programme is just one solution on offer to all families now."

The public health team at the Trust has recruited four part-time healthy weight trainers to work with families on the weight management programmes. The trainers will also be taking the mats into schools, alongside the school nursing teams who are undertaking the measurements of Year 6 children (aged 10-11 years) for the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP).