Implementation of the Finnish Good Practice "Smart Family" in Poland

Background: Childhood obesity is a growing public health challenge in Poland and worldwide, associated with serious long-term health consequences. Effective prevention requires family-centered, evidence-based interventions that actively engage both children and their caregivers. This study presents the Finnish Smart Family practice-an evidence-based lifestyle counseling method developed by the Finnish Heart Association-and describes its adaptation and implementation in Poland as part of the EU Health4EUkids project. The study emphasizes the method's practical utility for professionals working with families of children with obesity. Methods: The Smart Family approach is a structured lifestyle counseling method based on findings from the Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (STRIP) that is grounded in health psychology and strength-based counseling principles. Unlike traditional counseling, which focuses mainly on information transfer, Smart Family promotes motivation, families' active participation, and recognition of their strengths in areas such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and oral hygiene. The method uses practical tools including the Smart Family card, other supporting materials, and dedicated online platforms for both families and healthcare providers. These tools enable families to self-assess their lifestyle, select discussion topics during visits, and set achievable goals while supporting professionals in initiating non-judgmental, collaborative conversations. In Poland, the program was adapted using culturally appropriate materials and professional training, followed by pilot implementation in primary healthcare and educational settings that included pre-implementation planning, practical training sessions, the application of intervention tools, and outcome evaluation. Results: Pilot implementation demonstrated high usability and effectiveness. The approach enabled non-judgmental, supportive engagement with families, facilitated active participation in setting health goals, and promoted sustainable lifestyle changes in nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and other health behaviors. Evaluation highlighted the importance of supporting program objectives at the national level, standardizing child healthcare practices, and engaging media and local authorities to create a supportive ecosystem. Conclusions: The Polish experience confirms that Smart Family is an evidence-based intervention that strengthens professional competence, provides practical tools for family-centered care, and supports the long-term prevention of child-hood obesity and related non-communicable diseases. Its integration into healthcare and educational settings offers a promising strategy for improving public health outcomes.