Core components of the programme

Providers of lifestyle weight management programmes should:

Ensure all lifestyle weight management programmes for overweight and obese children and young people are multi-component. They should focus on:

• diet and healthy eating habits
• physical activity
• reducing the amount of time spent being sedentary
• strategies for changing the behaviour of the child or young person and all close family members.

Ensure the following core components, developed with the input of a multidisciplinary team are included:

• Behaviour-change techniques to increase motivation and confidence in the ability to change. This includes strategies to help the family identify how changes can be implemented and sustained at home.​

• Positive parenting skills training, including problem-solving skills, to support changes in behaviour.​

• An emphasis on the importance of encouraging all family members to eat healthily and to be physically active, regardless of their weight.​

• A tailored plan to meet individual needs, appropriate to the child or young person's age, gender, ethnicity, cultural background, economic and family circumstances, any special needs and how obese or overweight they are. This should include helping them and their family to set goals, monitor progress against them and provide feedback (see Developing a tailored plan in this path).​

• Information and help to master skills in, for example, how to interpret nutritional labelling and how to modify culturally appropriate recipes on a budget.​

• Help to identify opportunities to become less sedentary and to build physical activity into their daily life (for example, by walking to school and through active play).​

• A range of physical activities (such as games, dancing and aerobics) that the children or young people enjoy and that can help them gradually become more active.

• Information for family members who may not attend the programme itself to explain the programme's aims and objectives and how they can provide support.​

• Ongoing support and follow-up for participants who have completed the programme.