As we are in Childhood Obesity Week (July 6-12), sign-ups to a groundbreaking Birmingham initiative launched to tackle the issue has almost doubled in less than 12 months. 338 of the city's 400 nurseries, children's centres and other pre-school settings now participate in the Startwell scheme, with more already signing-up from September 2015.

Launched in 2012, the Startwell initiative is an obesity prevention programme to help early years settings, parents and health professionals create a healthier environment for children and families.

After working with 180 settings in the first two years, Startwell was expanded last September as the Royal College of General Practitioners called for a greater emphasis on encouraging healthy eating from a young age.

Chair of Birmingham's Childhood Obesity Steering Group, Dr Andrew Coward, said: "While the rate of obese children leaving Primary School stubbornly remains the same, we have seen a fall in the rate of children starting their school life with weight problems. Initiatives like the Startwell are starting to have an impact by encouraging parents and their children to develop good habits from early life.

"Childhood obesity is a crisis. One in four of our Year 6 children in Birmingham are clinically obese and that's a terrifying statistic. But, amid calls for action nationally, we're already fighting back in Birmingham and Startwell has an important role to play in helping the next generation of Brummies live long and healthy lives."

Startwell is based around 7 key messages to support nurseries, parents and health professionals:

  1. Be a role model for your child
    Children learn from copying the behaviours of those they see around them. As a parent, practitioner or adult who is in close contact with children it is important that the behaviours they see and copy are positive.
  2. 2 snacks max
    Regular, healthy snacks really help kids grow and develop well. 2 snacks max is all about getting in to the habit of giving the kids a healthy mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack.
  3. 180 minutes
    Children of pre-school age who are capable of walking should be active daily for at least 180 minutes (3 hours); this should be spread throughout the day.
  4. Me Sized Meals
    Children's tummies are smaller than grown-ups so they don't need the same amount of food.
  5. Avoid Inactivity
    Inactivity in under 5s is associated with excessive weight gain and lower cognitive development.
  6. 5 A Day
    Make sure 'they' get a variety of at least 5 portions of fruit and veg every day full of essential vitamins, minerals and fibre that may help reduce the risk of illnesses later in life. Even young kids can eat their 5 a day.
  7. Physical activity aids learning
    Giving children a variety of physical opportunities can impact on their ability to deal with situations and challenges they will meet in later life.