Carnegie Clubs Case Studies

April 2008

Amy’s, 12, attended Carnegie Clubs in Newark

“I like the Carnegie Club because I am not being judged by skinny people. We have fun. We know we are getting healthier and fitter. The people who run it are really nice. They aren’t bossy. It’s fun. Amy speaks about the lifestyle sessions, “We tried about 15 different vegetables and fruits. That was wicked!” Amy now goes swimming every week, which she rarely did before.

Amy, who is 4ft 9in and wears a size 14 clothes, said: “They don’t tell us what we weigh. I do feel healthier and my school trousers have got a little bit looser”.

Amy’s mum said of the Carnegie Clubs programme:

“The club has benefited the whole family. Amy’s eating habits have changed. She has fruit and crackers when she arrives home from school; once she would have crisps and chocolate. At one of the parent lifestyle sessions, Amy mum remembers, parents looked at drinks labels and then measured out the amount of sugar listed into test tubes. We used to have cola and lemonade but I’ve stopped buying pop now.”

Daniels Story

Daniel 14, attended the Carnegie Club in Walsall

“The club gave me the chance to try new sports I had never played before, like hockey and street dance. The activities were fun and not embarrassing like I thought they would be. We do much more as a family now we have started walking the dog together to help us all be more active.”

“Not only was it fun but I really learnt something I have been able to use to help me loose weight and be more active. I find it much easier to control my portions sizes and pick the healthier options swapping my chocolate for fruit and healthier snacks.”

Daniels Mum who attended the programme said:

“Daniel is much happier and more confident you can really see the difference, we are much more active as a whole family we hardly use the car anymore. Everyone in the family is much more aware about the foods we eat I think we have all really learnt something from attending the programme.”

“When Daniel visited a Dietician they told him “you can’t have this you can’t have that” which he really struggled with. The Club has taught us there is room for everything within our diet but it must be within the right balance.”