A QUARTER of children on a weight-loss programme quit the scheme early.

The nine-week Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do It! (MEND) programme has been running for at least three years at Colchester Leisure World, in Cowdray Avenue.

It is part of a national scheme which aims to help youngsters lose weight or reduce their body mass index through healthy eating and exercise.

The sessions, which take place twice a week, were recently praised by the Audit Commission for their success rate in stabilising or reducing body fat of youngsters.

However, a quarter of those on the scheme have failed to finish.

Ian Duggan, of Leisure World, said: “It’s difficult because the families are busy. It’s a commitment to two sessions a week.

“However much help and guidance you give, time is a rare commodity. I don’t know if there are other things that can be done to help that.

“You’re always going to find on any scheme of this sort, a certain proportion do not go on to complete it. But 75 to 80 per cent is still a good result.”