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It's well known that kids today struggle to keep fit and stay healthy. In fact, nine out of 10 children could be overweight by 2050 if current trends continue. At present, almost a third of 10 and 11-year-olds are overweight. And Tower Hamlets has amongst the highest levels of childhood obesity in the country, which is why we’re determined to become a healthy borough.

The Tower Hamlets Healthy Borough Programme is working to improve the health of those who live, work, travel, play and learn in the borough. That means you.

Tower Hamlets is one of nine designated ‘Healthy Towns’ nationally to receive government funding to promote physical activity and healthy eating in the borough while improving the local environment. Since the end of 2008, the Programme has been working to make it easier for local children and families to be healthy as part of the national Change4Life campaign.

Becoming healthy and more physically active needn’t be a chore. There are many enjoyable activities that you can do as a family to improve your collective health.

Why not try getting off the bus one stop earlier and walking the rest of the way? Or try walking up and down the stairs instead of taking the lift? It won’t be long before you notice the difference.

Like mum of five, Shirin Ahmed. Shirin took part in the Healthy Borough-funded Bike It: U Can 2 project at Cubitt Town Junior School on the Isle of Dogs. The project works with parents of children at ‘Bike It’ schools - schools that have signed up to take part in a dedicated schools cycling project - to encourage them to take up cycling, and in doing so make them more comfortable in allowing their children to cycle to school. “I never would have rode or tried to ride a bike if it wasn’t for this project”, Shirin says. “I’m proud of myself. Cycling is good exercise and I would encourage other people to try it”.

Tell us how you’re becoming healthy

If you have a story to tell about how you and your family are taking steps to becoming more healthy and physically active then we’d like to hear from you. Share your story with others and get some well-deserved recognition on this site.

If you’re giving your kids a head start in life by becoming a healthy family, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it telling us a bit about yourself and your family, why you’d like to Change4Life, how you’re doing this and include a digital photo if possible. Then look out for your story on these pages!