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What is the aim of your job?

To reduce childhood obesity by working on a weight management programme with children diagnosed as clinically obese and their family. We assess the family and treat them as a whole, not just the child.

What is an average day like?

We have workshops - 24 sessions - covering healthy eating and psychological issues such as motivation, body image and goal-setting. So part of the day is spent planning sessions and promoting them, booking accommodation and dealing with enquiries. If it's one of the days the sessions are on we record measurements for both child and parent, run two fitness tests per programme, and give participants food diaries so we can see where they are going wrong. Every session has sports activity, and we teach different skills to help kids gain confidence.

Health professionals, parents, children, teachers, leisure centre staff, dieticians.

What's the best part of your job?

Making a change to healthy living is a giant step - breaking that giant step down into lots of little steps and building a person's self-esteem is rewarding. But they have got to want to be helped.

What is the worst part?

When they don't get the message. Repeating the same thing over and over, and when parents undo the good work. We have had instances of children dropping out because parents just didn't want to bring them and the kids were upset.

What is your work background?

I did GP exercise referral for another council. I have a BSc in health and fitness, a diploma in performance coaching, gym and swimming instructor qualifications and various courses such as smoking cessation and children and fitness.

A degree in sports science or an equivalent.

What qualities do you need?

Patience and excellent communication skills. Good team worker and motivator.

How much do you earn?

About £24,000

Any advice for those interested in this line of work?

If you like working with people it is a good job because you can see the work you have done does get results. These children have lifestyle diseases that are avoidable.