Early detection, timely intervention and tailored support can help children develop healthier habits that last into adulthood while also easing future pressure on the NHS. When families receive guidance and practical tools at the right time, small changes can grow into lasting routines that improve wellbeing and resilience.
In Brent, where around 40% of children are above a healthy weight – and nearly half of children from ethnic minority backgrounds are affected – providing accessible, family-centred support is key to addressing inequalities and creating opportunities for sustained healthy behaviour.
Why early action matters
For Mohinder and his son Jaskaran, their journey began after a school health check highlighted that Jaskaran was above a healthy weight. The family were invited to join Beezee Families – a free, 12‑week healthy lifestyle programme delivered locally by Maximus on behalf of Brent Council.
With years of experience guiding families through National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) referrals, Sharon Scott, Regional Operations Manager, highlights the importance of sensitive support: “When a child is measured through the NCMP, we know it can feel worrying for families. That’s why we work hard to make the journey that follows as seamless and comfortable as possible. By understanding their concerns and creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment, we can be part of the solution for the whole family – not just the child.”
A warm welcome from day one
From their very first face‑to‑face group session, the family felt welcomed. Over the course of 12 weeks, the family learned about nutrition, portion sizes, calorie balance, reading food labels, reducing sugar intake, and incorporating fun physical activity into daily life.
The group setting also helped build connections beyond the programme. Families exchanged ideas, shared meals, and participated in play and exercise together – forming a supportive community.
Natalia Ruczynska, Nutritionist at Beezee Families, explains that it’s the shared experience that often makes the biggest difference: “Families build genuine connections with others who share their goals, and that makes such a difference. It’s much easier to make changes when you’re not doing it alone – that sense of community, accountability and collective support helps new habits feel easier and makes them far more likely to last beyond the 12 weeks.”
Transforming daily routines
These sessions were particularly beneficial for Jaskaran. Before joining the programme, he spent much of his time indoors playing video games. Now, he spends time each day playing football or outdoor games with friends, including those from the programme. He also reads food labels to choose lower‑sugar options and eats more fruit and vegetables.
Jaskaran explains: “I used to eat a lot of unhealthy food, but now I like eating fruits and vegetables because it gives me more energy. Plus, every day I go outside for around an hour to go and play sports with my friends.”
Building healthier habits at home
At home, the family established healthier routines by balancing traditional meals with lighter options, paying closer attention to calories and ingredients, and setting aside time each day for walking and physical activity. What began with a simple school measurement has grown into a shared commitment to healthier living – and a stronger, more connected family life.
For Mohinder, the programme has given his family the knowledge and confidence they needed: “Beezee Families taught us everything – how many calories we need each day, what a balanced diet looks like, and how important activities like football and dancing are. Before, we didn’t know any of this. Now we understand about healthy diet, and we follow it together.”
From a borough-wide perspective, Senior Public Health Strategist Shona Okeke‑Jackowski, highlights the programme’s wider impact: “The most powerful outcome we see is confidence – confidence in the child, in the parents, and in the family as a whole. Families tell us they feel better equipped to make healthier choices, more motivated to be active together, and more empowered to keep those habits going long after the programme ends. What makes this programme so important for us in Brent is that these changes are sustainable. They help families build daily routines that support long-term health and prevention, and those behaviours ripple out into the wider community too.”
