Almost a quarter or more than a fifth of children in the United Kingdom (UK) are overweight or obese by the time they start school.
The UK Department of Health and Social Care’s national policy for combating childhood obesity has critical outcomes centred on eating more healthily and increasing physical activity. To support the prevention and management of childhood obesity, Health Education England, in collaboration with key stakeholders, designed the NoObesity apps to deliver workforce training and family support.
Professor Edward Meinert, Associate Professor of eHealth at the University's Centre for Health Technology, led an evaluation of these apps funded by Health Education England. On the basis of this evaluation and behaviour change theory, the team has redesigned the NoObesity app system and will be evaluating its impact on engagement and health behaviours in 2023.