Services
We are a specialist service which supports families in Lothian to make changes to their lifestyle to become healthier and more active.
Our multi-disciplinary team consists of Dietitians, Clinical Psychologists and Exercise Specialists. We also work with our community leisure partners and health coaches – all with expert skills in advancing nutrition, physical activity and behavioural changes.
To find out more about the range of programmes we currently offer and other healthy lifestyle resources, please visit our NHS Lothian webpage – Child Healthy Weight Child Healthy Weight – NHS Lothian | Our Services
Children, young people and families will be offered a 1:1 assessment with a Dietitian to support them onto the correct pathway which would include physical activity support from our partners – leisure teams or Active Schools – if appropriate.
Who to refer:
- Aged 2-18 years old.
- Children <2 years of age should be referred to paediatric endocrinology in the first instance to exclude an underlying cause
- BMI ≥ 91st centile BMI calculator | Check your BMI – NHS | Please fill in your details (www.nhs.uk)
- Child and parent/carer ready and willing to make positive lifestyle changes.
Who not to refer:
- Children or families who require alternative support prior to being ready to attend our service e.g. for severe food phobias, complex social issues, complex mental health issues that may be exacerbated by engaging in a weight management service.
- Children under 2 years of age (see “Who to Refer” above)
Please note ALL referrals will be triaged at a single, central point by specialist Dietitians in the Child Healthy Weight Service. If you wish to discuss a referral prior to sending, please contact us at the details below.
How to refer:
Anyone can refer to our service. Please see options below for how to refer.
For Primary Care referrers with SCIGateway access, please send an electronic referral via SCIGateway> AHP Dietetics > Paediatric Weight Management > LI Weight Management – Paediac
Anyone without SCIGateway access can refer using our referral form. This can be used by patients, carers, health visitors, school nurses, anyone who wishes to refer but does not have SCIGateway access.
Contact details
These contact details are for professional, patients and parents/carers.
Email: loth.childhealthyweight@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
Phone: 0131 537 9169
Address: Woodlands House, Astley Ainslie Hospital, 74 Canaan Lane, Edinburgh, EH9 2TB
Recommended suggestions for families to support them to achieve a healthy weight for their child:
- Physical activity makes you feel good, as well as helping you to achieve a healthy weight – aim for at least an hour a day for children aged 5 years and over (and three hours of physically active time for the under 5s)
- Be more active as a family, by walking or cycling to school, going to the park or swimming. Have a look at Active Scotland to find activities near you
- Encourage your child to spend less time in front of the TV or computer
- Food should be enjoyable – try to eat together as a family when you can, without distractions like TV
- The Eatwell website has some great ideas about eating well for children – remember breakfast and your five fruit and vegetables every day
- Encourage parents and carers to comfort their children with attention, listening and hugs instead of food
- Encourage parents to use words like “healthy weight” and “healthier eating” rather than “losing weight” and “diet”.
Publications:
If you require publications or documents in an alternative format such as large print, Braille and audio versions, please contact Health Scotland publications:
nhs.healthscotland-alternativeformats@nhs.net.
If the child has an ASD diagnosis, consider the following link:
Eating Problems and Autism Spectrum Disorder – Factsheet
For more links to relevant sites see SIGN Guidelines, 115, page 52
