A YOUNG girl from Stobhill joined youngsters in the region as they hit the red carpet for their Change4Life film premier.
The inspirational film – which had its debut showing at the Tyneside Cinema – was commissioned by NHS North of Tyne as part of a package of promotions to help families access local Change4Life support services to help reduce childhood obesity.
One of the stars of the Change4Life film is nine-year-old Courtney Hood from Stobhill.
Courtney used to be constantly snacking and was teased at school for being heavy. But now she’s swapped chips and sweets for fruit and salad and has lost so much weight she looks like a different girl.
She’s full of confidence and bursting with energy and loves being out and about on her bike or playing on the trampoline at home.
The transformation happened after Courtney joined the 10-week Change4Life, Get Active Northumberland – GAN, run by Northumberland Care Trust for children aged seven to 13 years. GAN is one of the many initiatives being run under the Change4Life campaign, which aims to help families lead healthier lifestyles and urges them to eat well, move more and live longer.
“I think GAN is a fabulous scheme,” said Courtney’s mum, Ann.
“She decided she wanted to give it a go and then she started to eat healthier things, like fruit and cucumber and salad.
“And it wasn’t just about healthy food – they tried all sorts of sports, like swimming and volleyball. She used to come home from school and just sit and watch the telly, but now she goes out on her bike or on the trampoline. I’ve seen a real transformation in her and I am really proud of her.”
The rest of the family, including Courtney’s dad Paul, siblings Jordan, six, Calum, 11, and Sasha, 14, have also started to enjoy a healthier lifestyle and diet.
Dr Dawn Scott, public health consultant for childhood obesity at NHS North of Tyne, said: “Hearing about the experience of other children and families can be very powerful and help dispel some of the myths and fears people considering joining a Change4Life programme may have.”
Watch the video below: