Ian Wright joins war on junk food

Sep 25 2008 by Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

FOOTBALL pundit Ian Wright has told Midland parents they have to take responsibility for the growing obesity crisis.

The 44-year-old father of five was in Birmingham yesterdayto launch the new Go fitness programme which will lure teenage girls into exercise through yoga and gym classes in city schools in a bid to slim down waistlines.

Wright, former Arsenal and England striker, said: “The world children are growing up in now is so different.

“I used to rush home from school, get my school uniform off go out to kick a ball about with my mates until my mother started yelling and threatening me with all sorts of pastings.

“Things like traffic danger and stranger danger never existed then.”

Wright, who has four children who are professional footballers, added: “I hear all the usual excuses like television, computer games and fast food, but the truth is that parents have to set an example and take control.

“You can’t tell your children not to eat a burger ,and then eat fast food. This schools project does help but it is only part of the solution.

“You have to do things at home as well as at school.”

Go, a scheme by the Fitness Industry Association will target girls in the final year of secondary school, a crucial time when their activity levels start to drop off.

The aim is to encourage alternative activities like pilates.