‘Be Your Best’ aims to help the parents of those under 12 who are struggling with their weight. Run by Active Surrey in partnership with Children and Family Health Surrey and the University of Surrey, the programme will be rolled out across the county borough by borough.
A comprehensive programme of support involving visits from specilaist nurses along with group workshops will be offered to selected families whose young children have a high BMI for their age. (BMI is an indicator of weight compared to height). Those families on a low income, from a deprived area, or those whose child has a disability or special need will be eligible for the full service, although any Surrey parent can access helpful information on the programme’s website at www.BYBSurrey.org
National Child Measurement Programme data for Surrey shows that while better than the national average, 16.5% of children in Reception are overweight or obese, meaning that one in six start school overweight. By Year 6 as they move to secondary school this figure rises to more than one in four.
There is a strong relationship between obesity and relative income. In Surrey, the areas with the biggest obesity problem tend to be wards with higher levels of deprivation. In one low-income ward in the north of the county almost 40% of Year 6 children have excess weight, compared to ‘just’ 17% in a wealthier area to the south.
Parents / carers of children who meet the criteria will receive six visits from a specialist nurse who can offer the family tailored support in their own home. Nurses will provide advice on topics including portion sizes, food swaps and the vital part that physical activity can play in keeping children healthy.
Be Your Best group sessions will be run through the county council’s network of Family Centres and cover issues which are linked to weight gain, ranging from diet to anxiety, sleep and screen use. Practical sessions revolving around meal planning and cooking will be included, as well as visits to supermarkets to investigate topics like food labelling.
Speaking about the initiative, Be Your Best Programme Manager Charlotte Long comments:
“Most of us will understand the physical problems for children who are overweight, but it’s the effect on their health as adults - and associated mental health issues - that should give us equal cause for concern.
“For some families it’s not easy to make those healthy choices that others take for granted, which is why the targeted support in Be Your Best will make a difference.’’
Be Your Best has formally launched in Spelthorne and Reigate & Banstead, and will be rolled out across all boroughs and districts over the course of the next two years.
Any parent wanting to find out more about Be Your Best and whether their child is eligible should visit www.BYBSurrey.org, or contact the Be Your Best helpline on 01483 517005.