Healthy weight in childhood

Free support for families to help children and young people achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Why is healthy weight in childhood important?

•  1 in 5 children are above a healthy weight in reception and 1 in 3 children are above a healthy weight in year 6.
• A healthy weight can have an impact on a child’s physical and mental health and wellbeing.
• It can increase the risk of high blood pressure, breathing problems, joint problems, low self-esteem, and bullying. 

Supporting your child to be physically active

Children need to be active for at least an hour every day.

It is a good idea to mix moderate activity like brisk walking with vigorous activity like running or fast cycling.
Exercise can help build a stronger heart, bones and be a good opportunity for children and families to socialise.

Visit NHS Better Health For Kids for more information.
 

Supporting your child to eat healthily

Having a healthier weight can improve your child’s health and wellbeing. If you are not already doing so, eating healthily can be good for the whole family. This can be hard for a lot of people, so there is help available on the NHS Eatwell Guide.
 

Supporting your child to have healthy gums and teeth

Healthy gums and teeth are also part of a healthy lifestyle. Simple advice available from the NHS will help your child have healthy gums and prevent tooth decay.

For further information on looking after your child’s teeth, please visit the NHS ‘Sugar: the facts’ and ‘Tooth decay’

What support do we have if you are concerned about a child or young person's weight?

Supporting children's healthy weight in Northumberland digital programme

Northumberland County Council have created a 6 part digital programme looking at healthy eating and lifestyle changes to achieving a children's healthy weight.
 
If you would like to take part in this programme, please complete this form: Supporting Children's Healthy Weight in Northumberland Programme
 
Or email healthyweight@northumberland.gov.uk for more information.
 

HENRY Programme

The HENRY programme is designed to support the whole family to build healthier lifestyles and promotes the importance of a happy and supportive home environment.
 
The programme provides a wide range of support for families from pregnancy to age 12 including workshops, programmes, resources and online help. Gain the confidence, knowledge and skills you need to help the whole family adopt a healthier, happier lifestyle and to give your children a great start in life.
 
Our HENRY programmes are run by family HUBs in Northumberland.  
Northumberland Health Trainer Service
 
Northumberland's Health Trainers are here to support anyone living in Northumberland, aged 16 and over, to live well and succeed. Health Trainers support people to make realistic lifestyle changes through group programmes and one to one appointments:

• support with healthy food choices
• weight management
• support to access physical activity
• smoking cessation
• reducing alcohol intake

Find out more by visiting Living Well Northumberland.
 

Northumberland Frontline

Northumberland Frontline is a community project. It helps frontline workers and the public to quickly find details on local health and wellbeing services and to contact services through call back and referral options.
 

Harrogate District Foundation Trust Childrens Health Service App

A platform stacked with up to date technology that will assist service users with their everyday Healthcare needs whilst also connecting health workers closer to service users in every community.

Further Support for families

Support available for families including information on benefits, free school meals, school holiday support and childcare.
 
Advice about talking to your child about weight.

National Resources

Better Health healthier families  - Provides lots of information on healthy eating and physical activity including recipe ideas, healthy food swaps and snack ideas.
 
NHS Healthy steps - Another way to help maintain a balanced diet and physical activity for your family.
 
If you would like to monitor how your child is growing, the NHS BMI calculator tool can calculate your child's BMI using their height and weight.