Gro Health is a new initiative now underway to provide in-person and digital support, helping children and young people to reach a healthy weight and develop skills to help maintain this long-term.
As part of a continued drive to improve access to services for young people in the borough living with excess weight or obesity, Bromley Council is using DDM’s Gro Health platform, to support children living in the borough, up to the age of 18, with a weight management service with tailored programmes that encourage healthy eating, support physical activity, and enhance mental wellbeing.
Dr Nada Lemic, Bromley Council’s Director of Public Health said, “This tailored and specialist service will help children and families reach a healthy weight, with support designed to help both in the short-term and longer-term. Parents of eligible children are encouraged to get in touch to help our children and young people learn good habits that will last a lifetime.”
As well as providing options for in-person or virtual support, another key feature of the service is its family-based interactive workshops and physical activities that help young people develop enthusiasm and positive associations with healthy eating and being active with the whole family involved as part of their support structure. The positive affirmation and memorable reinforcement of such healthy lifestyle habits, it is hoped, will help over the long-term, into adulthood.
Gro Health will provide two 2 year pilot programmes: delivering a 12 week programme with schools in the borough, and a targeted community-based programme of age-specific education for eligible users with referrals through their primary care service or through self-referrals.
Living with unhealthy weight is a major risk for an individual’s health and is a leading cause of preventable illness and premature deaths. Weight management services, like Gro Health, can help people to adopt healthier habits, reach a healthier weight, and improve their overall wellbeing.
Interested residents can access the service by self-referral. To check eligibility and register, please visit: www.grohealth.com/bromley or call 0330 133 0307.
Parents who are concerned about any aspect of your child’s health are encouraged to approach a health professional for advice if needed. For further helpful information and health advice for children aged 0 to 19, visit: www.bromley0to19.co.uk.
Support for adults seeking support in reaching and maintaining a healthy weight can also find more information by visiting: www.bromley.gov.uk/HealthyWeight.
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For media enquiries, please contact Liam Scoble in Public Affairs, on 020 8313 4688 or email liam.scoble@bromley.gov.uk.