New weight management service for children and young people launches in Norfolk

Norfolk County Council has launched a new service to support children and young people (CYP) aged 4-18 and their families to make long-term, sustainable changes to their health, weight and wellbeing. 

In collaboration with DDM Health's Gro Health platform, the Tier 2 weight management service offers a mix of face-to-face and digital resources to better support CYP and families maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. 

Councillor Bill Borrett, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "This new service is being launched at a critical point in time, as rates of childhood obesity continue to rise. Statistics show that an increasing portion of Norfolk's children are either overweight or obese, placing them at risk for future health complications. I'm really pleased that the council is working with DDM Health on its Gro Health platform to support healthy weight management among our children and young people. We want to help families in Norfolk to improve their long-term health, through a combination of healthy eating and increased activity.    

"Norfolk County Council is committed to helping children and young people flourish. By encouraging people to maintain a healthy weight, we can do just that. I strongly encourage families to sign up to the service to help embrace a healthy lifestyle."  

This new programme is part of a broader effort to tackle these issues and ensure that local families have the support they need to make better healthy lifestyle choices.  

Gro Health offers a holistic, 12-month programme that blends face-to-face interactions with state-of-the-art digital tools to provide a flexible and accessible service for families in Norfolk.  

Designed by NHS clinical experts, the service is rooted in evidence-based practices and tailored to meet the individual needs of every family and young person.  

The multidisciplinary team supporting the programme includes dietitians, psychologists, physical activity specialists, and behavioural change experts, all working together to provide a well-rounded service. Families will benefit from age-appropriate:  

• One-to-one health coaching with personalised advice and support for sustainable health changes  
• Interactive workshops on topics like nutrition, meal planning, and physical activity  
• Physical activity sessions for the whole family, both in-person and via digital platforms  
• Digital tools including a mobile app offering on-demand exercise classes, health tracking, meal plans, and 24/7 support  
• Ongoing coaching to help families build and maintain healthy habits long-term  

Charlotte Summers, Chief Operations Officer at DDM Health, said: "This new service is a significant step forward in supporting the health and wellbeing of children and families across Norfolk.  

"By offering both face-to-face sessions and digital tools, we're ensuring that every family has the support they need to make positive changes, regardless of their circumstances."  

The digital app is NHS certified and NICE accredited. Residents can access the service through primary care referrals or by self-referral. To check eligibility and register, please visit: www.grohealth.com/norfolk