The Ian Wright stuff

'Fitter Families'; a new initiative encouraging families to follow simple steps to achieve a more active, healthier lifestyle, is today being launched by former international footballer Ian Wright MBE.

Latest figures show the UK population to be increasingly overweight, unhealthy and sedentary; leading to widespread obesity both in child and adulthood.

Comparison statistics show in 1971, 80% of 7-8 year olds walked to school, by 1991 the figure was just 9%. If existing habits continue, 60% of men and 50% of women will be obese by 2050, with an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Despite the consumption of fewer calories, the obesity epidemic needs to be addressed with a cultural shift to getting fitter together thus improving the health and fitness of generations to come.

Fitter Families from Fit for Sport, the UK's leading healthy lifestyle activities provider, is a call-to-arms to support families in taking control of theirs' and future generation's future well-being via achievable challenges based on improving health and fitness.

Families in Bexhill and across the UK are encouraged to sign up to www.fitterfamilies.com to pledge their commitment to become a 'Fitter Family' by achieving small, simple, lifestyle habit changes that have been proven to show positive results on fitness and health when consistently applied as part of the everyday lifestyle.

Ian Wright commented "Fitter Families aims to encourage families in Bexhill to commit to making small changes for a better, healthier lifestyle. We're not talking dieting, running marathons or unattainable fitness regimes! The initiative is based on a Simple, Achievable and Sustainable philosophy that enables you to make changes for the long term future health of your family."

The initiative is supported by a Fitter Families book, written by Ian Wright and Fit for Sport founder, Dean Horridge.

The book provides simple tips for engaging the family in achieving a healthier lifestyle, such as walking to school, exercising the dog or swapping crisps for fruit; the book aims to motivate families to build fun activity and a sensible approach to food into their every day life.

A documentary will also be shown later this year following 'Fitter Families' on their journey to better health, fitness & a longer life. It will explore the feelings of the families as they embark upon their journey together.

Families in Bexhill looking for a fun way to achieve a healthier lifestyle are encouraged to sign up to the challenge by visiting www.fitterfamilies.com Alternatively copies of the Fitter Families book (RRP 9.99) can be purchased from Amazon, Asda and WH Smiths stores nationwide, as well as ordered from Fit for Sport directly by emailing [email protected]