Essex University is planning to run week-long pilot summer camps for overweight children, which it says will help address the problem of rising obesity among UK youngsters.

The university's centre for sports and exercise science aims to improve the lifestyle of youngsters by educating them about healthy eating and daily physical activity - away from the sometimes intimidating atmosphere of school PE lessons. The week-long, non-residential camp will be piloted over two sessions in July and will be open to 11 to 14-year-olds from the Colchester area.

Youngsters taking part will spend full days on campus where staff from the university will provide sessions on how to eat healthily and allow the youngsters to try different activities including volleyball and even rock climbing. If successful, it is hoped the scheme could be rolled out in 2005 to include children from a wider area and younger age group.

Tom Cudmore, one of the leaders of the initiative, said: "The rising level of obesity in the UK is startling and will undoubtedly have a huge impact on the country, especially in terms of the long-term cost to the NHS. To tackle this effectively we need to be encouraging children from an early age to lead an active and healthy lifestyle, not just through sport but also through everyday activities like walking to school or taking the dog out."

He added: "The emphasis is not on losing weight, it is about encouraging youngsters who, for whatever reason, are not motivated to eat healthily and exercise in their normal environment. Physical education lessons in schools can be intimidating for children who are overweight, which only compounds the problem. By bringing them into an environment where they are not unusual we anticipate they'll be more willing to try new forms of exercise."

The camp is expected to run during the last two weeks of July and will include at least one session for the parents of those taking part.

Any parents or healthcare professionals interested in finding out more about the camp should contact Tom Cudmore at the human performance unit on 01206 873254 or email tcudmo@essex.ac.uk.