Leading article: Fitness control

With more than 13 per cent of under-11s in England now judged to be obese, up from 9.6 per cent in 1995, it is clear that such youngsters' lifestyles have to change. So, the drive by the Fitness Industry Association to link leisure centres with schools has to be welcomed. The scheme aims to transform the waistlines of youngsters who have been uninspired by PE lessons but who may be fired with enthusiasm for exercise classes or the gym. However, this cannot be the sole solution to a much wider problem. Children only spend a fraction of their waking lives at school. Parents also need to take responsibility for the lifestyle lessons their children are learning at home.