Chapter 5
Liv Life Healthy Weight Service
Innovating healthy weight support.
Understanding the challenge
More than half of adults in Liverpool are overweight or obese. One in four children start school overweight or obese. By Year Six, this rises to one in three. These children are more likely to become obese adults.
Being overweight or obese can cause depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. It also raises the risk of heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Helping people live healthier lives can reduce these risks and help them feel better.
Making sure support is easy to access for people in poorer areas and under-represented communities will help reduce health inequalities.
A man shopping in a local fruit and vegetable store choosing fruit and vegetables.
Drivers behind the new approach
A person chopping vegetables on a chopping board.
Public Health saw the need to stop weight from becoming a problem. They wanted to help more people early so they can reach and keep a healthy weight.
After talking with residents and partners, we created a new healthy weight service. Liv Life Liverpool started in January 2025. It offers help for children, young people, families, and adults. There is also a maternity pathway and a “Healthy Me” school programme.
Liv Life Liverpool gives information, advice, and practical tips to help people make healthy choices and build good habits.
There are face-to-face and online options, plus one-to-one and group sessions. The service is easy to access and runs in community spaces across the city. They also have the ‘Best You’ app for all Liverpool residents.
Working with the community was key to making sure the service meets local needs. They also invest in the community and build partnerships to help deliver the service.
The service is part of the City’s Good Food Plan. It helps people get affordable healthy food and learn cooking skills.
The impact of the transformation of weight and wellbeing support for Liv Life
Over 1100 accessed the service in 2025
94% of people have lost weight
78% have lost 3% of their total body weight
46% have lost 5% of their total body weight
The majority of clients are aged 35–44 and 55–64
83% females
17% males
14% from under-represented groups
Case study
Background
At 58, Client MS, had spent years attempting many diets and quick fixes. Each attempt led to short-term results but long-term frustration, often slipping back into old habits and patterns. We explored his ‘why’ to help tap into his motivations and set small manageable goals. He wanted change, not just for himself, but to stay active, enjoy football again and be present for his children and grandchildren.
Beginning the Journey
MS joined the Liv Life Liverpool Adult Weight Management 12-week programme, opting for one-to-one coaching. Through this he committed to a structured approach that emphasised education, accountability and long-term behaviour change. One of the biggest advantages for him was the option for virtual coaching sessions with Brad, his dedicated coach, as he could easily fit these around his busy working day.
From the outset, Brad helped MS reshape his relationship with food. Rather than following rigid rules or restrictive plans, he learned how to make balanced choices and develop new behavioural patterns, which he could stick to.
Seeing Food Differently
For the first time in his life, he described a shift in mindset:
“After coaching I genuinely see food differently. It’s not the enemy, it’s something to enjoy, but in a way that works for my life.”
This cognitive shift became especially clear when he went abroad on a family holiday. Typically, holidays meant over-indulging, grazing all day, or treating every meal like an event. But this time was different.
“For the first time in my life, I didn’t over-indulge. I enjoyed the food and the wine yet still felt in control.”
He walked daily to explore local scenery and stay active, stayed mindful without feeling restricted and returned home proud rather than regretful.
Lifestyle Transformation
His initial goal was simple: start playing football again. Not only did he achieve that, but he also joined a local walking football team, playing weekly and reconnecting with the sport he loved.
He also began weight training at a local gym, something he had never prioritised before.
These changes created a balanced, sustainable routine that supported his weight loss, energy levels and confidence.
“I didn’t realise how important strength training is, especially as you get older. I am enjoying this new addition to my daily routine“
“The virtual sessions were a game-changer. No excuses, or travel time, easy to access, practical support.”
Results
Over the course of the programme, MS lost 1.5 stone, but the number on the scale was only part of the story. The real transformation was his mindset, habits and relationship with himself.
He reports feeling fitter, more motivated, more capable and more present for the people he loves.
“Liv Life Liverpool came at exactly the right time in my life. I feel like I’ve added years, not just to my life, but to the life I get to enjoy with my children and grandchildren.”
MS is now planning on attending regular Weigh & Go sessions delivered by Liv Life Liverpool in his local community centre for regular accountability, allowing him to maintain these lifestyle and behaviour changes.
MS journey is a powerful example of how sustainable behaviour change, guided by supportive coaching, can transform both body and mind. His experience shows that it’s never too late to reset, rebuild and rediscover what’s possible.
“I can’t thank Liv Life Liverpool enough. It’s not just about the weight I lost; it’s about the life I’ve gained.”
From now to next
- To take the learning from year one of the healthy weight service. Develop recommendations for year two.
- To undertake a whole systems approach to tackling overweight and obesity in Liverpool.
- To review and update the healthy weight strategy. To form a healthy weight steering group.
- To align with Liverpool’s Good Food Plan. Aim to ensure access to health, nutritious
food for all residents.
