This summer, tens of thousands of British children will fight obesity and prevent future heart disease by exercising in mini gyms. Filled with child-sized workout machines such as treadmills, weight lifting machines and exercise bikes, mini gyms provide kids with a fun active alternative to their daily average of four hours in front of the TV or computer.

Fifteen percent of children age 2 to 11 in Britain are obese, with another 15 percent overweight. Kids aged 5 and older are attracted to the mini gyms for their grown-up feel, and the opportunity to learn new exercises with their friends. The mini gyms are a non-competitive environment -- a positive aspect that helps obese and overweight children feel comfortable exercising with other kids. Nutrition advice and education are also offered by mini gym staff. The mini gyms popularity is spreading across the globe, with child-sized gyms opening in Sweden, Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Some adults object to gyms targeted at children -- for fear it will instill narcissism and non-cooperative behavior in children exercising in a mirrored environment. Another argument is that it will create a new wave of body image issues in young girls. Mini gym staff took notice recently as a group of girls around age 10 began weighing themselves obsessively. The weight scales found in the corner of the mini gym were subsequently removed.