The rising tide of obesity has led to thousands of youngsters having Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes UK has revealed the number of children and young people with diabetes is the highest it has ever been and data from GP surgeries says more than 6,000 children and young adults have Type 2 diabetes in England and Wales.

Thousands more could be diagnosed with the condition during the coming years as the latest figures on childhood obesity revealed more than a third of children in England will be overweight or obese by the time they leave primary school.

Bridget Turner, director of policy and campaigns at Diabetes UK, said: "Type 2 diabetes can be devastating for children and young people.

"We need to encourage healthy living by providing clear and easy-to-understand nutritional information about the products we are all buying.”

But as well as healthy eating, exercise is crucial for every child.

It’s a subject Angus Browne who runs Brownes Boot Camp feels passionately about.

Angus has been a personal/boot camp trainer for 14 years training celebrities, professional sports people, the general public as well as at primary/senior schools, colleges, local businesses and sports teams.

The business started in his home town of Leigh but has expanded across Essex.

Angus feels not enough is being done to tackle obesity and overweight children.

He said: “The Government are not doing enough to support this in schools. I work in a lot of schools and I see what is going on. Some schools only do one hour a week on PE and then they go and serve unhealthy foods in the canteen or their parents pack them an unhealthy packed lunch.

“Children should be taught this at a young age and be given more PE lessons. Some teachers of other subjects can often have no clue on PE/training and teaching the children’s fitness etc. It's not good to see.

“This is all to do with cut backs. They need to be investing in children's fitness in schools and have someone explaining the benefits and risks involved if you do not do PE

“We run boxing classes for kids which they love and headteachers need to be pushing this in their curriculum programme.

“Children are our future so we need to look after them.”

One of the aims Angus focuses on is that fitness can be fun. There are a range of fun-packed activities including hiking, obstacles, boxing, team games and tug of war and Angus is keen to get youngsters of any ability involved in fitness. While the word “bootcamp” may conjure images of exhaustion and muddy faces, there’s a real sense of achievement for those who attend.

He added: “I have no objection about having kids in my boot camp classes. I like to see them start young and also get stuck in. It will only help them in later life.

“We are fully insured, DBS checked and first aid trained for children to train with us.

“They also have a great respect in our camps for the trainers and other children.

“It helps them concentrate more, sleep better, as well as make new friends, keeps them fit and healthy and sets them up for life! Exercise is the best thing for kids.”

As well as children’s fitness, adult fitness is crucial for longevity and good health and Angus has a mobile assault course and mobile boxing frame which can be hired out to companies, for events as well as team building activities so that everyone can get involved.

Angus added: “I have a passion about my job, I love it. I love to see people get results and have lots of fun while training. That's what it's all about, getting outside and interacting with different people. It's good to see.”

So if you’re a parent looking to get your child away from their games console or just out in the fresh air, Angus has this advice.

“Let the kids go and enjoy the outdoor training, don't be scared of the word ‘boot camp’ as it's all fitness training but just outside. Encourage them to do more exercise instead of sitting in front of the TV and computer games as it does you no favours.”

Angus would love to see more boot camp fitness in schools as children are already there and can benefit from the experience within their timetable.

His motto is “your health is your wealth and your network is your net worth” and we could all take heed of that whatever our age.

Visit www.brownesbootcamp.co.uk or follow Angus on Instagram and Facebook.