A WEIGHT management programme to tackle the problem of obesity in Ipswich could be on the cards, it has been revealed.It is hoped the project by Ipswich Primary Care Trust could see them linking up with groups like schools and social workers to carry out the programme to reduce the increasing waistlines of the population.

A WEIGHT management programme to tackle the problem of obesity in Ipswich could be on the cards, it has been revealed.

It is hoped the project by Ipswich Primary Care Trust could see them linking up with groups like schools and social workers to carry out the programme to reduce the increasing waistlines of the population.

Elaine Aylott, is health improvement manager for the PCT and Ipswich Borough Council.

She would be leading the project and is also calling for a national campaign to tackle obesity, which has been described as a ticking timebomb for the future.

She said: "I think we need national policies. We need a multi-project approach.

"We have to develop strategies and find partnerships with schools and social workers so we can benefit from each others skills.

"We also have to develop an overview of how the PCT is going to manage - what is going to happen to those high risk groups?

"We have to provide them with a service and education."

Her call comes as new plans were published to mark school pupils' fitness on their reports like any other academic subject.

All new teachers would also receive PE training in a bid to cut children's ballooning waistlines.

But Mrs Aylott added that the council would be unlikely to go down the route of USA style fat camps for kids that are being set up for Colchester youngsters at the University of Essex this summer.

She said: "As far as the evidence shows it is a bit hit and miss as to whether these work in the long term.

"The environment is really for children when it needs to be family centred.

"You need to have the whole family on board because we are talking about is a change of lifestyle."

However Mrs Aylott added that it would be interesting to monitor the results of the fat camp if it was targeted at changing children's attitudes to food.

She said that any policies in Ipswich would have to be developed around local needs and should be done from research rather than just being a knee jerk reaction.

N What do you think should be done to stem the tide of obesity? Write to us at Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP1 4AN.