Families' voices

Interviews

We at Evira have spoken to parents in four different families whose children are undergoing treatment for obesity and use 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, arguments and worry 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 gained the motivation herself to make a change. I no longer had to nag, instead she took responsibility for her own choices, says mum Maya.

From struggle to cooperation

Evira became a concrete tool for both me and my daughter. By following the curve in Evira and receiving feedback from healthcare personnel via messages in the app, my daughter found her own motivation to stay within her goal – something that affected the entire family's dynamic.

– She started to decide portion sizes herself, switched to a smaller plate, and carefully followed her progress with the help of Evira. It became fun for her and a relief for me as a parent.

Sisters and cousins inspired

When the older sister saw what a difference it made for her younger sister, she also wanted to start using Evira. Eventually, it became something the whole family did together, with the older sister also seeking care for her degree of obesity and starting treatment with Evira as an aid. Even cousins and school nurses contacted us to find out what kind of measuring plate and app the family was using.

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

More than just numbers

For the family, it hasn't been about fixating on weight in kilos, but rather about understanding trends, learning about portions, and gaining motivation through positive feedback from responsible healthcare providers.

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

Less worry – more joy

Today, the youngest daughter has lost approximately 11 kilos and no longer has the disease of obesity. The family has found routines that work and has developed a new approach to food, exercise, and everyday life.

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

A patient's story: – The best feeling

Tell us about your experience with the Evira treatment.: – The measurements have been a routine for me since I started with Evira in December 2022, the first thing I do when I wake up. I want to continue with Evira after I turn 18 and transition from paediatric to adult care, but unfortunately, that option is not available today. My mum usually tells her colleagues that Evira is good and that she is happy that we got the chance to use the tool. We both feel that Evira has helped us a lot. Otherwise, many people are ungrateful for the help they receive in Sweden.
Which part of the Evira treatment has felt most valuable?: – When I see the curve go down. It makes me so happy, it's the best feeling. When I see my progress over the years – it's incredible. I feel proud of the times I've managed to turn the curve downwards again, after it had been going upwards. The app is clear to understand and the visual aspect of Evira helps me keep track. I've also found the FAQ section helpful, with questions and answers about food and exercise. Keeping track of food is a big part of the treatment. It's not like you can eat whatever you want and then not be able to explain why the curve goes up. Before I started with Evira, I used to get out of breath very quickly if I took the stairs. Now I don't get as out of breath anymore, I'm more energetic and can do more.
How has it affected you that your mum has also been active in Evira and been able to follow the treatment?: – Mum supports me incredibly well, both when the curve goes up and down. My siblings and dad also praise me with "Well done" when the curve goes down. My aunt also got to see the app. My whole family, even Grandma, knows that I use Evira and it's nothing I'm ashamed of. My cousin also uses Evira.
What has it been like to use the tool in everyday life?: – As soon as I got the measuring plate, it became part of my routine. I measure myself every morning. The days I missed measuring myself, my mobile was broken or I had slept away from home.
Has Evira affected the family's daily life in any way?: – Not much, but my brothers usually nag me when I measure myself before breakfast because they are hungry and want to start eating.
How have you experienced the support from the healthcare providers through Evira?: – I've had a nurse, who has been the best support over the years. When the curve goes up a little, she writes "Keep fighting M". I like that you can chat with the nurses, it's really important. They provide great support, remind and cheer you on.
Are there any disadvantages with the tool?: – No, nothing I can think of right now.
Would you recommend Evira's tool to other families in similar situations?: – Absolutely, one hundred percent, for those who have motivation and take it seriously.

Parent’s experience of Evira: – A personal journey

How long have you been undergoing treatment with Evira?: – We have used Evira as part of the treatment for about 6 months. We were first introduced to it about a year ago. I was very sceptical at first. The idea of weighing my child every day felt strange and uncomfortable. I didn't want it to become part of her daily life to stand on a scale, so I said no from the beginning. Based on the treatment progress, we were recommended Evira on several occasions. At one point, the healthcare provider showed me, as a parent, the app and how everything worked more visually, and then it didn't feel as scary anymore. The healthcare provider explained 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 something wrong to my child. The healthcare provider has been invaluable support in that matter for our family.
What made you still give Evira a chance?: – It was the healthcare provider's patience and way of explaining things pedagogically. She showed me how the measuring tool works, gave examples of curves and explained the benefits, which made it feel less daunting. In addition, I saw that we needed to do something, as my child had continued to gain weight. Finally, I felt ready to try it.
What has it been like to use the tool in everyday life?: – It's been up and down. In the beginning, it was actually quite tough to see the curve's development 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've learned to reflect on what has influenced the curve's development. It becomes a reminder of what we're doing right – and sometimes what we need to improve.
How have you experienced the support from the healthcare providers through Evira?: – The healthcare providers 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 maintain the right focus and understand that this is a long-term effort.
Are there any disadvantages with the tool?: – I think that if you find it hard to accept that weight can go up and down, it can be tough to use the tool. It's important to understand that it's a long-term journey, not something that changes overnight. I myself needed time to come to that realisation, and now I'm more relaxed about sometimes missing a measurement for a day or that the results vary.
Would you recommend Evira's tool to other families in similar situations?: – Absolutely, but I think it's important to get all the information from the start and that healthcare providers are there for support, especially in the beginning. It took time for me to get used to the idea, but now I see that it helps us keep track and make better choices for my child's health over time.

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

How do you feel Evira has worked for you?: – It has been very practical and provides good feedback that suits our family. I usually cook the meals, and it's valuable to see how certain choices affect weight. The curve helps us see the development without it becoming a strict focus on weight.
How do you experience contact with healthcare professionals through Evira?: – It works really well! The chat function makes it easy to communicate directly with healthcare professionals, and it's convenient that it's integrated into the same app. The fact that the staff at the children's clinic are committed to my son is a prerequisite for this to work.
Has Evira had an effect on the family's everyday life?: – Absolutely. It has helped us change our eating habits. We eat better as a family, which feels like the biggest gain, and I haven't actually seen any disadvantages.
Would you recommend Evira to other families?: – Yes, I believe it can be helpful for many. It's worth trying if it fits into the family's routines. I wish we had gained access to Evira earlier because then we would be further along today.

”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 thought it was quite simple. The healthcare providers helped us install the app and connect everything. It's an easy-to-understand tool and has been very positive to use during the treatment journey.
As a parent, which part of Evira have you found most valuable?: – I think the best thing is being able to follow the progress. Sometimes you think you're 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 routines slipped that the curve shot up. When we returned to our routines, it 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's always great to get quick answers to simple questions. The nurses are on top of things and follow the progress. They have also encouraged us and given tips, which has felt reassuring 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 truly makes a difference.

Would you like to know more?

Read more about how the treatment works for families, what the research shows, or why childhood obesity is an important challenge.