NHS surgeries for overweight children are to open in Leeds.

Nine to 16 year olds will be able to attend special clinics where experts will help them with diet and encourage a more active lifestyle.

Consultant paediatrician Dr Mary Rudolf told BBC News Online: "If we can reach children, then they are malleable enough to change their lifestyle before the health costs get enormous."

She said the number of overweight youngsters had reached epidemic levels.

Physical activity

A study of 700 children in Leeds revealed one in three were overweight and one in five obese by the age of 11.

"This problem is universal across the country," added Dr Rudolf.

"It's down to the lack of physical activity as children no longer play outside and watch TV or play computer games instead."

She said while GPs do not have the time or training to help these youngsters, there was also a shortage of dieticians.

Weekly progress

At the clinics, specially trained staff will prepare individual eating and exercise programmes with the children and their parents.

Weekly progress meetings will be held to encourage the children with their new way of life.

A government grant of �42,000 will enable the joint Leeds University and East Leeds Primary Care Trust initiative to run a pilot for 16 months.

The after-school surgeries will open in January in the Rothwell, Beeston, Morley and Middleton areas of Leeds.