NHS England has begun to pilot a ‘smart scale' tool and app to help severely obese children lose weight.
It said the technology is being used at 15 Complications from Excess Weight (CEW) clinics to support around 350 patients and their families, with plans to roll it out to four more over the summer.
The approach involves the home use of smart scales with hidden digits that connect to a mobile app to display the direction of weight management without specific numbers. The data is automatically transferred to a clinical team, who can keep in touch with the family through the app with regular feedback to support behavioural changes.
NHS England said it sees the approach as a way of expanding CEW clinics’ delivery of holistic care and behavioural techniques to treat obesity.
Transforming lives
Professor Simon Kenny, national clinical director for children and young people, said: “It is fantastic that through cutting edge technology and a holistic and behaviour change approach to obesity care, our specialist NHS clinics have already transformed the lives of thousands of children and young people – supporting them to lose weight, live heathier lives and improve their mental health.
“This game changing tool is helping our specialists support and keep track of children’s weight loss progress without them needing to leave home, while offering regular advice to them and their parents to help build healthy habits.”
