New Programme Aims To Tackle Childhood Obesity

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has launched a new programme to help tackle childhood obesity.

The 8-week HENRY – 'Health, Exercise, Nutrition for the Really Young' – programme is designed to support health visiting teams and Sure Start staff in addressing sensitive issues such as overweight and obesity.

Trained facilitators will work with families to help them make healthier choices, focusing on parenting skills, lifestyle habits, diet, nutrition, physical activity, and emotional wellbeing.

The programme uses a range of techniques, including positive parenting skills training, tailored plans, goal setting, and strategies to increase physical activity.

In Northern Ireland, 21% of children are living with overweight or obesity by the time they enter primary school.

Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at PHA, said: "Maintaining a healthy weight is important for our health and wellbeing and we should all be concerned about the impact on our health of being overweight or obese. Carrying too much weight can put you at risk of developing a range of serious health conditions such as stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. Reducing the numbers of children living with overweight and obesity is a public health priority, given inequalities are widening, particularly in areas of deprivation. We know that being overweight or obese is more common in these areas, so we are committed to making people aware of these issues and putting measures in place to enable them to take positive actions to improve their health. "The HENRY programme aims to support families to provide the best possible start in life for babies and children. It also aims to help parents gain confidence to make positive lifestyle changes and healthier food choices that will benefit the whole family."

So far, over 250 HENRY sessions have been delivered online and face-to-face, with over 500 parents taking part, and over 700 children reached.

Dr McClean continued: "We have seen a significant increase in parenting confidence, emotional wellbeing, fruit and vegetable intake and water consumption, and a reduction in drinking fizzy drinks. We hope the outcomes of this programme continue to benefit many more children and families across Northern Ireland."

Danielle McKenna, Project Manager at Clogher Valley Sure Start, which runs the HENRY programme, added: "We have been running the programme for a number of years now and it has had such a positive impact on the parents and children in our area. The whole idea of a healthy life and positive parenting approaches is all factored into the HENRY programme. From healthy eating to screen time and wellbeing initiatives, all our parents really benefit from the programme and we would highly recommend it."

To find out more about the HENRY programme in Northern Ireland, visit www.pha.site/HENRYNI

If you would like to contact a HENRY facilitator in your area and find out if you are eligible for the programme, visit www.pha.site/HENRYFacilitators