In Practice: Case Study - Promote a healthy start in life

Objectives: Childhood obesity is a real problem in the UK so health organisations and others are looking for effective prevention programmes. One devised by the Institute of Child Health at Great Ormond Street Hospital is being tested at the South Oxhey Children's Centre in Hertfordshire. Trim Tots aims to promote healthy lifestyles to young children and parents. "We don't necessarily want children to lose weight because they're still growing," explains nutritionist and Trim Tots study co-ordinator Sarah Low. "So it's about changing habits, increasing physical activity and things like behaviour at meal times and the amount of TV they watch."

What was done: The programme, which started last year, is working with about 100 families with children aged up to five who are overweight or grew quickly in the first two years of life. They were recruited through baby clinics, local events, childcare and children's centres and go through the 24-week programme in groups of about a dozen. It comprises two two-hour sessions per week for the first 12 weeks and one session per week after that. These include music and movement, nutritional advice covering topics such as food labelling and healthy snacks, and arts and crafts. Children and parents are encouraged to learn together through play. Parents support each other through a buddy system.