£500k boost to support families in Liverpool to achieve a healthy weight and improve their wellbeing

Thousands of families across Liverpool will benefit from a new programme designed to promote healthy weight with a view of reducing obesity and related health complications in the long run.

Developed by Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Public Health Liverpool, the ‘Healthy Weight’ programme will help support families in Liverpool who are at risk of experiencing excess weight during pregnancy, infancy and childhood.

1 in 3 children leave primary school overweight or obese, with obesity-related illnesses costing the NHS billions of pounds each year. Obesity is a major risk factor for an individual’s health and is a leading cause of preventable illness including heart disease, diabetes and premature death. Living with obesity can also affect quality of life and impact mental health. Evidence suggests that weight management services can help children and young people and their families to adopt healthier behaviours, lose weight and improve their general wellbeing. 

The Healthy Weight programme is backed by 500k of funding and focuses on the local voluntary, community and faith sectors, including BME communities and low-income households within Liverpool who are more at risk.

It involves a range of different projects which offer a range of support and guidance including dietary advice, guidance on physical activity, access to health activities including sensory friendly activities and support to start and maintain healthier habits. The funding has been given to seven different organisations across the city to focus on health related activities including:

• Tuebrook Active
• Autism Adventures
• Beautiful New Beginnings
• Feeding Liverpool
• The New Belve Youth and Community Sports Centre
• Family Active – Diverse Active C.I.C
• Happy Health Active Lives

Dr Senthil Senniappan, Clinical Director for Endocrinology and lead for weight management service at Alder Hey said:

“This is an exciting project bringing together a fruitful partnership between Liverpool City Council and Alder Hey to promote the health and wellbeing of children and young people in the region. With rapidly rising levels of weight related complications, this is a very welcome move to promote healthy living and to prevent future weight related complications. Our clinical team is excited to be part of this new collaboration.”

Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health at Liverpool City Council said:

“The Health Survey for England 2021 estimates that 25.9% of adults in England are obese and a further 37.9% are overweight but not obese.  These rates will be much higher amongst children living in poverty. Together with Alder Hey, we are dedicated to helping families in Liverpool tackle obesity and help reduce health inequalities. I’m delighted with how the Programme will help our communities live healthier and more active lives.”