As a community health provider delivering award-winning healthy lifestyle programmes across the country, we understand how invaluable quality community health provision can be when it comes to reducing health inequalities.
We recognise there is no magic solution when engaging with individuals, and our extensive experience tells us that child weight management can be even more complex and sensitive than adult programmes, with a delicate approach needed to avoid alienating or offending parents and children.
According to recent Public Health England figures, obesity levels for children in Thurrock are the second highest in the East of England region. As a result, the local council identified child obesity as an area of action within its Public Health Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
In response, Beezee was established in Autumn 2023 to promote healthier lifestyles and reduce the barriers around child obesity. Through our dedicated team of nutritionists and behaviour change experts, the programme emphasises small and sustainable changes that can lead to positive long-term health benefits for families.
Our approach
To gain a deeper understanding of the needs and challenges faced by families in Thurrock, we adopted a “beginners’ mindset” when developing this Insight Report.
We prioritised active listening, conducted more than 100 interviews and engaged extensively with local parents, family hubs, libraries, schools and other community groups.
In addition, we collaborated with various stakeholder groups including the Weight Management Taskforce and Better Health Communications to ensure a multi-layered, comprehensive perspective on the issues at hand.
Findings from the report
We applied a thematic approach to analysing the survey results, identifying several key themes that created additional barriers for families. These included the cost-of-living crisis, community identity and cohesion, the cost of childcare and the stigma associated with child obesity.
For low-income households, mounting financial pressures can lead many families to resort to cheaper, less nutritious food, underscoring the need for more robust support networks and affordable healthy living resources. While many parents also face the added pressure of returning to work to boost household finances and spending more on childcare and early years provision.
One service user explained: “It costs more to be healthy.”
Moreover, the stigma associated with child obesity remains a significant barrier. Families reported feeling judged when their children were identified as overweight, which can discourage them from seeking help. Transitioning the referral process to specialists who can foster trusting relationships with families may alleviate this stigma and improve uptake of weight management services.
In addition, our research found that families establish habits early on, with people often relying on services within their immediate areas, making early intervention crucial for lasting impact.
While local Family Hubs are valued as resources, they are often perceived merely as services rather than integral community assets. This perception limits community engagement and support. Many participants expressed a desire for greater awareness of available services and highlighted the importance of face-to-face interactions in building community bonds and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices.
Conclusion
Overall, our findings indicate that addressing child obesity requires a holistic, multi-faceted approach that incorporates economic, social, and educational strategies to create environments conducive to healthy choices. This includes leveraging local community assets, enhancing educational support, and fostering supportive networks for families.
By identifying the challenges faced by families in Thurrock and involving them closely in the conversation, we have been able to implement effective strategies that promote healthier lifestyles while improving overall health outcomes in the local community.