New Weight Management Service for Teens Launches in Barnet

Published:

Gro Health to provide face-to-face and digital support for young people aged 14-19 across Barnet, helping them build healthier habits for life

Hendon Town Hall

Hendon Town Hall

Barnet Council is pleased to announce the launch of a new healthy weight service for adolescents, in partnership with DDM’s Gro Health platform.

This new service is designed specifically to support young people aged 14-19 in managing their weight, improving physical and mental health, and developing the skills needed for long-term health and wellbeing.

With rising rates of adolescent obesity across the borough, this programme comes at a crucial time. In Barnet in 2022/23, the National Childhood Measurement Programme found 19.3% of Reception children and 33.7% of Year 6 children were overweight or very overweight, highlighting the need for effective, tailored interventions to support the young people of Barnet in leading healthier lives.  The new service will provide flexible and accessible options, with a blend of face-to-face and digital support to ensure all participants can access the help they need.

The service will support young people across Barnet, offering both face-to-face sessions and access to the Gro Health digital platform. It focuses on a whole-person approach, addressing four key areas of adolescent health: physical activity, mental wellbeing, nutrition, and sleep.

Cllr Alison Moore, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board at Barnet Council, said: “I am delighted to see this innovative weight management service launched for young people in Barnet. Addressing both physical and mental health and wellbeing, this programme will provide invaluable support to our young residents at a critical stage of their development, empowering and helping to give them the tools to build healthy habits and to live well into adulthood."

A key feature of the Barnet service is its personalised health coaching model. Each participant will receive weekly one-to-one coaching sessions, delivered either face-to-face or online, over the course of 12 weeks. These sessions are designed to help young people develop healthy habits, maintain motivation, and overcome challenges.

"Our goal with this service is to empower young people in Barnet to take control of their health," said Michaela de la Fosse, Operations Manager at DDM Health. "The evidence-based programme is co-developed with adolescent obesity specialists at Berkshire NHS Trust, ensuring it meets the specific needs of young people. We want to ensure that every young person has access to personalised support, whether through face-to-face coaching or our easy-to-use digital platform." 

Residents can access the service by referral via their GP or by self-referral. To check eligibility and register, please visit: https://www.grohealth.com/barnet

NOTES

Gro Health

  • The effectiveness of Gro Health is backed by six peer-reviewed studies, demonstrating notable outcomes such as an average 6.5% weight loss at six months, an 8% improvement in quality of life, and significant reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms.
  • Gro Health’s 12-month weight management programme is grounded in evidence-based best practices and NICE guidance (QS94, PH49, PH47).
  • DDM Health provide health interventions to over 1.8 million users. Visit https://ddm.health for more information.
  • DDM is recognised by the Healthcare UK/Department of International Trade as a Top 100 Digital Health Company.
  • Gro Health app is available on the web, iOS, Android, smart watch, Fire TV, voice-activated assistants and smart speakers.
  • Gro Health is recommended by NICE for specialist weight management
  • Gro Health’s impact on mental health is documented here.
  • Gro Health is approved by the NHS (DTAC-approved) and the highest-rated health app in the UK (Orcha, 97%).
  • For more information, visit https://www.GroHealth.com or search for Gro Health in the App Store.