Weight management support
Weight management support
Maintain and manage a healthy weight for both adults and children.
Check if you are a healthy weight
A healthy weight usually means being within a set range that compares your weight to your height. It is calculated using a body mass index (BMI) score in adults and a BMI centile in children.
If you're unsure if you have a healthy BMI, the NHS Body Mass Index calculator for adults can help you to find out.
Managing obesity
Tackling obesity and helping people achieve or maintain a healthier weight is complex. The causes of obesity exist in the places where we:
- live
- work
- play
If you're overweight or obese, you are more likely to develop serious health conditions such as:
- type two diabetes
- heart disease
- strokes
- some cancers
Weight management support
Exercise on Referral
We work with GP surgeries to encourage individuals with health concerns to be more active.
For Exercise on Referral, a GP refers you to a leisure centre, where you'll have an appointment with a member of the fitness team to assess your needs and abilities.
They may suggest:
- fitness classes
- swimming
- gym sessions
Heath Trainer service
Health trainers offer a free service to anyone living in Northumberland who is over 16. Your GP, district nurse, or other health practitioner can refer you to a health trainer or you can contact us directly. Visit the Living Well Northumberland page for more information.
Telephone: 01670 784 197
Roots and Shoots programme
Allows children to learn how to plant and grow fresh food. It involves advice to support school gardening clubs, as well as health education and physical activity programmes. Contact your child's school to see if they are currently involved in the scheme or to encourage them to take part next year.
Healthy weight in childhood
We offer free support for families to help children and young people achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
1 in 5 children are above a healthy weight in reception and 1 in 3 children are above a healthy weight in year 6.
Importance of healthy weight in childhood
- a healthy weight can affect 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 and bones and is 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 benefit 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 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, visit the NHS 'Sugar: the facts' and 'Tooth decay'.
Help children achieve a healthy weight
Sign up to our free, 6 part digital healthy eating and lifestyle change programme.
Apply for children's healthy weight programme
For more information
Email: healthyweight@northumberland.gov.uk
Help to build a healthier lifestyle
Our HENRY programmes are run by Family Hubs in Northumberland.
They are designed to help you 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.
It provides a wide range of support for families from pregnancy to age 12, including:
- workshops
- resources
- online help
Sign up for the HENRY programme
Further support for families
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.
You need to select Northumberland as your location when you set up the app.
Local resources
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.
Advice about talking to your child about weight (PDF).
If you would like to monitor how your child is growing, the NHS BMI calculator tool for children and teenagers can calculate your child's BMI using their height and weight.
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