Burton Children Offered Help to Get Fit and Eat Well

Jul 15th, 2010 | By Chris Towland | Category: Burton Stuff

Children in Burton and surrounding areas are invited to benefit from a unique health programme designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

The Healthy Kid5 Child Weight Management Service is encouraging children and their families from the area to sign up to the scheme run by a specialist school nurse and paediatric dietitian from South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) Provider Services.

The service has been developed in partnership with a number of agencies including East Staffordshire Borough Council Sports Development Team and aims to tackle the issue of childhood obesity and to improve health outcomes.

Healthy Kid5 is a free service available to overweight children aged between 7 and 13 and their families who are registered with an East Staffordshire GP. It offers accurate, up-to-date and consistent advice on food, nutrition and physical activity.

Eligible families are offered advice and support for 12 months and, within that time, are encouraged to participate in a 12 week group programme. Through active engagement with the children and their families the service aims to help people make long term, positive changes to their lifestyle.

Steph Hallam, of Draycott in the Clay, said her seven year old son Carl embraced the scheme.

She said: “I wasn’t really sure what to expect at first from Healthy Kid5 but it has helped transformed the way Carl thinks about food. Before entering the programme his association with food was very emotional and he would comfort eat if he was upset. Now Carl is much better at opening up and if I see him go for the fridge we talk about what is bothering him before he grabs anything!”

She added the programme had also improved the way Carl and his brother Sean played together.

“Sean has always been sporty and Carl would often refuse to go out and play with him because he knew he’d never be able to keep up or get the ball from his brother. Carl now really enjoys having a run around and kick about with his brother now and his teachers say he really enjoys sport at school as well.”

She added: “The results have been brilliant, Carl has lost some weight but that isn’t what’s important. He has broken bad habits, finds it easier to talk about things and is much happier in himself. We are both really pleased with the results and would recommend the service to anyone.”

Families and children can be referred to the service through their GP or school nurse. Nicky Dodgson, specialist school nurse, and Sue Plews, advanced paediatric dietitian from Healthy Kid5 will be available at the Anglesey Community Games on 24 July, Shobnall Playday at Shobnall Leisure Centre on 4 August and Anglesey Playday at Anglesey School on 26 August to find out more about the service.

Alternatively you can contact them direct by telephone on (01283) 507175.