For patients and families
My child has been referred to the Healthy Weight Service ...what now?
Our service is focused on supporting families to live healthier, happier lives, whatever that looks like for you. We know that weight management can be a difficult topic, and that it can be hard to know how and where to start making changes.
The links below are to a range of topics that many families have found helpful when they are starting to think about what a healthier family might look like.
The Raising Children Network has some great resources on a wide range of topics, but we recommend the following as a place to start:
For many people, weight and body image are complicated or sensitive issues, and as parents, our relationship with our bodies can impact our how our children feel about theirs. As our service is family-focused, it may be helpful to think about how body image and health is spoken about in your family.
The use of technology and finding a balance between screen time and other activities is another area that many families that we work with find challenging.
This resource is focused on teenagers and young adults, but many of the ideas apply to all the family:
Sleep is another aspect of how we’re living that we don’t always realise can be having an impact on weight, energy levels and mood:
Neurodevelopmental issues such as Autism Spectrum Disorder often bring additional challenges when trying to make healthier choices for your family:
How can the Healthy Weight Service support my family?
The Healthy Weight Service brings together experts across medical, dietetics, physiotherapy, social work and mental health specialities to work with your family. Our team will get to know your child and your family, look at what a healthier lifestyle means for you, and what might be getting in the way.
The following will give you some information about the complications that can occur when a child has excess weight and the treatment options:
The Healthy Weight Service Dietitians at PCH are friendly, kind and practical.
We are looking forward to meeting your family, but while you wait for your clinic appointment, we hope you can choose some ideas to try from the information below.
Remember to try one food or drink change at a time as a family. Don’t give up if it doesn’t go to plan straight away and have fun eating together!
Great ideas here for your kids to 'build' their own lunchbox, including foods from all the food groups, with kid-friendly recipes.
Learn how to fill a plate with delicious, balanced healthy portions – it’s a practical guide with pictures of tasty meals.
Guidelines on healthy eating for children, encouraging healthy habits and serve sizes
Make healthy snack choices by knowing what to look for.
Nutrition and fitness practical advice for specific age groups.
Ideas for all aspects of healthy choices, including drinks, lunchboxes, food group serves for age, screen time, physical activity and more...
Although this guide has been developed for young people with Type 2 Diabetes, this section contains lots of practical information on Healthy Eating.
Movement Guidelines
Although this
guide has been developed for young people with Type 2 Diabetes, this section on contains lots of practical information on Physical Activity.
Kidsport (Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries)
Enables eligible WA children aged 5 to 18 years to participate in community sport by offering them financial assistance towards club fees.
There are many resources online and in the community that families can access to help with making – and sustaining – healthier choices.
The following services may be helpful for your family as you start this journey:
- While you are waiting for your first appointment, we recommend many families with children between 2-12 years old complete the Better Health Program, which is available online and as a group program in some areas.
- Envisage Families runs workshops for families across the metro area to support positive parenting and families to thrive.
- With increasing cost of living pressure on families, programs such as Happy Pantry may be able to help with keeping healthier options affordable.
- The WELL Collaborative is a consumer advocacy group that gives a space for people in Western Australia to come together to learn more about overweight and obesity, and access the resources, education and training, and programs and services that will help them on their journey.