The number of obese children in the borough’s primary schools has fallen by nearly half, new figures show.

Only seven per cent of children in Harrow were classed as obese in 2010/11, a fall of 3.6 per cent from the previous year and well below the London average of 11 per cent.

Harrow Council is attributing the fall to its Eatwell programme introduced into 16 children’s centres in 2008 to encourage families to eat healthier food and offer drop-in sessions for parents on how to address fussy eating and other problems.

Mum-of-two Kajal Patel has used the programme with daughter Khushi, three, at Pinner Wood Children’s Centre in Latimer Gardens and with son Sohum, two, at The Pinner Centre in Chapel Lane.

She said: “My daughter and I attended the 12-week Eatwell course and we absolutely loved it. For my kids it was about seeing other children eat different types of food that made all the difference.

“At home they can be quite fussy eaters but they were far more willing to try different types of food when we were on the course – which is now the case at home too.

“We come from an Asian background and generally cook Asian food at home but this course has broadened my children’s horizons and they are much more adventurous with what they like to eat.”

The programme offers cooking groups for parents where they can make recipes with their children, and offers exercise sessions at Hillview Children’s Centre in Grange Road, South Harrow.

Portfolio holder for children’s services, Councillor Mitzi Green, said tackling obesity was a “key priority” for the council to stop bad eating habits being ingrained in children early.

She added: “Healthy children make better learners so the benefits are clear both physically and academically.

“The statistics clearly show a drop in childhood obesity in Harrow which is excellent against the backdrop of a rise nationally.”