Join the fight against childhood obesity

Chat date: Friday 26th September
Chat time: 1.00pm

A third of Britain's children and two thirds of adults are currently either overweight or obese. To fight the problem, the Government has set up Change4Life, a grass roots movement which will launch in January 2009. Prior to the launch, the Department of Health is looking to recruit people who are active in their local community - such as running after school clubs - to drive awareness of the long-term risks of childhood obesity and support families in changing their lifestyles.

Unless urgent action is taken, it is predicted that over half of adults will be obese by 2050 - that's today's children. Change4Life aims to encourage families to be more active, eat better and live longer and signing up means being at the heart of one of the biggest movements our nation has ever seen.

Clear advice and support will be provided via community resources, guidance from local health professionals, web tools, and television programming. Local supermarkets will supply food and recipe ideas and suggestions on creative ways to travel to and from work or school.

Will Cavendish from the Department of Health and children's activist Cathy Court are hosting a webchat in which they'll be answering your questions about childhood obesity and Change4Life, telling you everything you need to know about this vital initiative. Local community workers and volunteers are presently being called upon to join the movement, adding their support to teachers, heath professionals, charities, business, Government and scientists. If you'd like to get involved, log on to the chat and find out how you can play a part in making a better future for Britain's children.

Will Cavendish from the Department of Health and children's health activist Cathy Court join us live online at http://www.webchats.tv/chat/jointhefightagainstchildhoodobesity on Friday 26th September at 1.00pm to 1.20pm to discuss the Change4Life campaign.

Click here to submit questions before the chat http://www.webchats.tv/chat/jointhefightagainstchildhoodobesity

For more information visit www.nhs.uk/change4life

- Next week, the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson and the Chief Nursing Officer Christine Beasley, are also writing to 100,000 health professionals, including GPs district nurses, midwives encouraging them to support the movement.

- Members will be part of a national network of community organisations. They will also have access to expert advice and a website packed with tips and ideas from other Change4Life partners across the country.

- A special helpline is available

- Every member will receive a Change4Life pack full of useful tips and expert advice. They'll be invited to take part in a huge programme of events happening all over the country next year as well as info on running their own Change4Life events.