Second Nature

Challenge​

Nearly two-thirds of UK adults are obese or overweight, which increases their risk of developing diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Many find it difficult to lose weight, and lack the support they need to build and maintain healthier lifestyles.​

​Approach​

Second Nature is a 12-week programme that combines behavioural science with technology to help people change their exercise and eating habits. Alongside the programme, users get access to an online support network of like-minded people. After the programme, they can continue to use this network, and benefit from peer support as they keep up their new habits.​ The service is commissioned by the NHS for patients. Individual customers can also pay a monthly fee to access the service directly, online. ​Second Nature received investment through Bethnal Green Ventures. Big Society Capital invested £2.25 million in Bethnal Green Ventures to help them support tech for good startups delivering impact.

​Impact​

Of its 15,000 customers to-date, the 12-week Second Nature programme has enabled nearly 10,000 to lose an average of 5.9kg. According to peer-reviewed data, many of these customers had sustained this weight loss after six months, and again after 12 months, indicating a long-term lifestyle improvement.​

​Responding to COVID​-19

Second Nature assessed the needs and concerns of its customers, discovering that 47% of prospects and users are snacking more as a result of COVID-19, and that more than 60% expect to gain weight during the lockdown period.​

​In response, Second Nature has continued its existing activities. It’s also produced new online resources to help people stay on track during the crisis, as well as offering a range of corporate packages for organisations looking to support their teams’ transition to working from home. And it now delivers free one-hour video presentations for companies who would like to promote healthier eating habits within their teams.