Wrexham Council has introduced healthier school meals

Sixty per cent of Wrexham adults - more than any other Welsh local authority area - are classed as overweight or obese, according to the most recent assembly government figures.

The healthier menu has been devised by dieticians and uses local produce.

Wrexham Council hopes it will increase pupils' nutrition levels and boost their concentration in class.

It's evident that obesity in adolescence is strongly associated with obesity in adulthood Andrea Basu, North East Wales NHS Trust

Councillor Arwel Jones said: "Research shows that a healthy, balanced diet improves concentration levels that in turn can help pupils achieve better results in their education."

Hywyn Williams, the council's chief learning and achievement officer said: "School meals help develop youngsters' tastes for different foods.

"Very often children will try something because their friends are eating it too and it's a great way to encourage them to vary their diet."

The new lunch menu aims to reduce the intake of fat, sugar, salt and additives while increasing the vitamin and mineral content of the meals.

The menu will still contain food like burgers and sausages, but with higher meat content than previously.

All children will be served Welsh beef and lamb, much of which the council said was reared in north Wales.

Physical activity

Andrea Basu, community development dietician from the North East Wales NHS Trust, said: "Over 50% of the Welsh adult population are either overweight or obese, with figures from the recent Welsh health survey suggesting that Wrexham has a slightly higher percentage.

"Whilst we don't currently have statistics for children and young people, it's evident that obesity in adolescence is strongly associated with obesity in adulthood.

"Both nutrition and physical activity play a key part."

Richard Lloyd, head teacher of Alexandra Community Primary School in Wrexham, said head cook Paula Smith had completely changed the school menu.

I wouldn't say Wrexham's any fatter than the rest of the country Paul Smith, builder

He added: "The genuine rubbish, the battered stuff and really fatty stuff has been taken out.

"We now do real home-cooked foods, and chips are only offered once a week. There's now a lot more pasta and rice, there's always veg and salad, and much less fat."

In 2003/2004, figures identified 60 per cent of adults in Wrexham as overweight or obese - more than any other local authority.

The average proportion of overweight or obese adults across Wales was 54 per cent.

But not everyone agreed with the figures, which are based on anyone with a Body Mass Index of 25 or more. No separate figures were available for children.

The World Health Organisation classes people with a BMI of 30 or more as obese.

Paul Smith, 20, a builder from Oswestry, said: "I wouldn't say Wrexham's any fatter than the rest of the country."

Retired teacher David Jones, from Wrexham, said: "Children are bigger than they used to be, there's no doubt. They need a healthy balanced diet, both for their health and their concentration".