The week-long residential family programme will be run by the Carnegie International Weight Loss Camp in Leeds, and has attracted major interest from the McManus family in Bray in Co Wicklow, who took part in the children's programme at the camp last year.

Nessa McManus spent the last nine years looking for medical advice for her 13-year-old daughter Laragh, who has struggled with obesity since she was four years old. She says she was shocked at the lack of support services available in Ireland.

"We tried everything . . . doctors, dietitians, personal trainers . . . but nothing was working, " said Nessa. "I once paid 120 to bring Laragh to a specialist, only to be told 'Shame on yourself, put her on a diet.' Everywhere we went, I was treated with utter contempt. The doctors would just look at me as if I was stupid. They'd tell me I should be ashamed of myself, for letting my child get like that. The service we got was simply appalling."

Last year, Laragh had reached a weight of 14 stone, and Nessa was beginning to panic. "I was so battered and bruised and upset from the reactions I had been getting from doctors, and noone seemed to have the answer, " she said. "No-one seemed to understand that this is an eating disorder . . . it's like the opposite of anorexia. I mean, no medical professional would even think of telling an anorexic to 'just eat more'."

Just as she thought all avenues had been exhausted, Nessa saw a TV programme featuring the Carnegie Weight Loss Camp. "They seemed to have exactly the type of holistic approach I was looking for, " she said. "Laragh wasn't thrilled about going, but we had to try it."

All of Laragh's misgivings were allayed on her first day at the camp.

"Everyone was brilliant, and so supportive, " she said. "Every day we did swimming, and we played basketball, and we were taught about nutrition and the different ways to be active. I was never eating really bad food before, but I was just eating excessive portions. They taught us all about portion sizes and the different food groups, and how many calories we needed to survive."

Nessa was also delighted with the ethos in the camp. "I saw her after four weeks, and I couldn't believe the difference in my daughter, " she said.

"The laughter and joy and camaraderie, she just seemed so happy."

During her eight-week stay at the camp, Laragh lost 1 managed to keep this weight off, and is looking forward to losing more weight at the camp this year. She may yet be joined at the camp by her mother, who is very enthusiastic about the Family Camp idea.

"I am certainly considering it, " said Nessa. "I really think it's a great idea for parents to see what goes on, to be involved and to learn about nutrition.

At this stage, I've spent a lot of time studying the subject and talking to dietitians, but I'm going to talk to [one of the camp organisers] and find out more about it. We don't have a history of obesity in our family, but like most people, I have a few pounds to lose."

Parents attending the Family Camp will be given lifestyle education sessions, including basic nutrition, a family fitness plan, recipe makeovers and cooking classes. They will also be given daily fitness and wellness classes. Children will follow the traditional camp schedule, but will also join their parents during family fitness sessions and trips.

The Family Camp will run from 27 August to 2 September.