HOWEVER active our youngsters may be, it's not much use if they're stuffing their faces with fast food the rest of the time.

That's why NHS Hounslow and Fusion have teamed up to offer classes for children and parents about how to enjoy a healthy diet.

Buvana Ailoo is the children's healthy weight leader for Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare. She visits schools and children's centres across the two boroughs, and runs a project at Heston Pool, teaching parents with overweight children how to change their eating habits.

She has her work cut out. Government figures show 38.9 per cent of 10 to 11-year-olds and 25.2 per cent of four and five-year-olds in Hounslow are overweight or obese, well above the national averages of 22.8 per cent and 32.6 per cent respectively.

She blames the number of fast food outlets in the borough, confusion about portion sizes and the use of unhealthy ingredients like ghee (a type of butter) in Asian cookery.

"Sometimes it's difficult making changes when you have extended family living with you who are used to doing things a certain way," she says. "Asian families have been cooking with ghee for years and this is about creating a different culture when it comes to food.

"Parents are often quite shocked at how small recommended portions for children are. Often the amount they put on their children's plates is the same they have themselves."

Research suggests overweight children are more likely to suffer everything from joint problems and diabetes to disrupted sleep. There is also evidence it can lead to low self-esteem and depression.

Buvana's top tips for a healthy diet are: * Eat a variety of foods, including lots of fruit, vegetables and starchy foods such as wholemeal bread and wholegrain cereals; some protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs and lentils; some milk and dairy foods and a small amount of foods containing fat and sugar

**Swap snacks high in fat, sugar and salt such as cakes, crisps and Bombay mix with tasty and nutritious snacks like unsalted nuts, seeds, fruit and dried fruit * Reduce the amount of takeaways, ready-made meals and fast foods - all of these foods can have a very high calorie content

* Eat regularly - having small amounts throughout the day helps stop cravings

* Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day * Have a good healthy breakfast such as porridge, wholemeal or wholegrain toast, wholegrain cereals and fruits

* Choose smaller portion sizes (it's important to keep an eye on children's portion sizes because they don't have the same calorie requirements as adults)

* Drink plenty of water, still or sparkling, and reduce drinks which can be high in sugar, particularly fizzy drinks, sports and energy drinks and flavoured milkshakes.

For more about parent workshops on healthy eating near you, call Buvana on 020 8630 7517.

Hounslow children among fattest in the country - see page 2

HOUNSLOW'S children are among the fattest in the country, with nearly two fifths of 10 and 11-year-olds classified as overweight or obese according to the latest statistics.

The Chronicle looks at two of the initiatives leisure providers Fusion and health chiefs at NHS Hounslow are hoping will help fight the flab

LIKE many teenagers today, Jonathan Fowler used to spend more time in front of his computer screen than getting out and playing sport.

The 15-year-old wanted to hit the gym to get in shape but found most fitness clubs near him refused to accept anyone under 16.

That was until his mum Julie, who works in HR at Hounslow Civic Centre, discovered the Junior Gym at Lampton Sports Centre.

The centre, in Lampton Avenue, Hounslow, offers three sessions a week for 11 to 15-year-olds.

Instructors are on hand to teach youths how to use the equipment safely and to develop a tailored exercise programme.

Jonathan has been going for less than three months, but already he's dropped half a stone to 11.5 stone.

"I noticed I'd been putting on a bit of weight and wanted to go to the gym but it was frustrating because none of them would accept me," said the Longford Community School pupil. I enjoy going to Lampton and losing weight has given me more confidence. I'd definitely encourage other people to sign up."

Younger members can use most of the normal apparatus at the gym, like treadmills and exercise bikes, although the weights are off limits. Jonathan's mum Julie believes more gyms should lower their age restrictions to help get youths off the couch.

"Teenagers spend so much time playing video games and watching TV these days it's not surprising so many of them are overweight," said the 44-year-old.

"In my day, we were always out and about but young people today don't get the opportunity to exercise so much. That's why the Junior Gym is such a good idea."

* The Junior Gym is open every Wednesday and Friday from 3.30-5.30pm, and on Saturdays from 11am-2pm. It costs £3 a session or £19.99 a month. To find out more, visit www.fusion-lifestyle.com