Interviews

We at Evira have spoken to parents in four different families whose children are undergoing treatment for obesity and are using our digital treatment tool. The aim is to provide insight into what the treatment journey can look like.

"Evira gave the whole family a fresh start"

When Maya first came into contact with Evira for her daughter, it was after a period of nagging, arguing and worrying about food and weight. It became clear that the family needed a new way to find motivation – and then everything changed.

– It was like magic. When my daughter started using Evira, she found the motivation to make a change herself. I no longer had to nag her, she took responsibility for her own choices, says mother Maya.

From struggle to cooperation

Evira became a tangible tool for both me and my daughter. By following the curve in Evira and receiving feedback from healthcare professionals via messages in the app, my daughter found her own drive to stay within her goal – something that affected the dynamics of the entire family.

– She started to determine the size of her portions herself, switched to a smaller plate and carefully monitored her progress with the help of Evira. It was fun for her and a relief for me as a parent.

Sisters and cousins were inspired

When the older sister saw what a difference it made for her little sister, she wanted to start using Evira too. Eventually, it became something the whole family did together, with the older sister also seeking treatment for her degree of obesity and starting treatment with Evira to help. Even cousins and school nurses got in touch to find out what measuring device and app the family was using.

– It spread, people saw the results and wanted to know more. I really recommend Evira, but it also requires that you as a parent be there and support. The measuring plate itself doesn't do the job – we do it together.

More than just numbers
For the family, it has not been about staring blindly at weight in kilograms but rather understanding trends, learning about portions, and gaining motivation through positive feedback from responsible caregivers.

– The kids love the chat. When the nurse sends a message, they grow several inches with pride. It makes such a big difference.

Less worry – more joy

Today, the youngest daughter has lost about 11 kilos and is no longer obese. The family has found routines that work and has gained a new way of relating to food, exercise and everyday life.

– I really hope more people get the opportunity to use Evira. It has helped us so much – not just her, but our whole family.

"Evira – a tool that helps families create sustainable routines and strengthen collaboration with healthcare professionals"

How did it feel when you were first introduced to Evira?
– I found it quite easy. The caregivers helped us install the app and connect everything. It is an easy-to-understand tool and has been very positive to use during the treatment journey.

Which part of Evira have you found most valuable as a parent?
– I think the best thing is to be able to follow the progress. Sometimes you think you are doing the right things, but with Evira you can immediately see how it affects the curve. For example, we clearly noticed during the summer when the routines were released that the curve went away. When we returned to our routines, things got better again. It has made us more aware of the importance of sticking to good habits.

How has it been to be able to communicate with healthcare professionals via Evira?
– It has been really smooth! It is always nice to get quick answers to simple questions. The nurses are in control and follow the progress. They have also encouraged us and given us tips, which has felt safe and made us not feel alone in the process.

Would you recommend Evira to other families?
– Absolutely, I would! The whole concept is fantastic. As a parent, you get accessible support and a clear tool that really makes a difference.

Parents' experience of Evira:
- A personal journey

How long have you been treated with Evira?

- We have been using Evira as part of the treatment for about 6 months. We were first introduced to it about a year ago. I was very skeptical at first. The idea of weighing my child every day felt foreign and uncomfortable. I didn't want it to become part of her everyday life to stand on a scale, so I said no from the start. Based on the development of the treatment, Evira was recommended to us on several occasions. At one point, the caregiver showed the app and how everything worked more visually to me as a parent and then it didn't feel as scary anymore. The caregiver explained it directly to my child in a way that made it feel more natural for both of us. It was actually one of the biggest challenges for me as a parent, I was worried about saying the wrong thing to my child. The caregiver has been an invaluable support in that matter for us as a family.

What made you give Evira a chance?

- It was the caregiver's patience and way of explaining things in an educational way. She showed me how the measuring tool works, gave examples of curves and explained the benefits, which made it feel less scary. Also, I saw that we needed to do something, as my child had continued to gain weight. Finally, I felt ready to test.

What has it been like to use the tool in everyday life?

- It has been up and down. In the beginning, it was actually quite difficult to see the development of the curve in black and white. It's not always fun to see, but at the same time it became a motivation for me to continue. At times, the curve has gone both up and down, and I have learned to reflect on what has influenced the development of the curve. It becomes like a reminder of what we are doing right – and sometimes what we need to improve.

How have you experienced the support from healthcare providers through Evira?

- The caregivers are fantastic. They support us all the way and cheer us on even if things don't go as we hope. For them, the most important thing is that we continue with the measurements and that we don't give up, which has helped me as a parent to stay focused and understand that this is a long-term endeavor.

Are there any disadvantages to the tool?

- I think if you have a hard time accepting that your weight can go up and down, it can be tough to use the tool. You have to understand that it's a long-term journey, not something that changes overnight. It took me time to come to that realization, and now I'm more relaxed about the fact that we sometimes miss a measurement on a day or that the results vary.

Would you recommend Evira's tools to other families in similar situations?

- Absolutely, but I think it's important to get all the information from the beginning and that the caregivers are there to support you, especially in the beginning. It took me a while to get used to the idea, but now I see that it helps us stay on top of things and make better choices for my child's health over time.

A parent's story:
- How Evira changed our everyday lives