Why Julianne's on a mission to help tackle obesity in NI

Tuesday 28 January 2025

Women in Business member, Julianne Dickenson is the owner of Solutions Weight Management by Julianne, providing specialist dietetic weight management services in Belfast. The clinic, located at 81 Rosetta Road, offers personalised and evidence-based weight loss solutions.

Tell us a bit about your work background.

I like to be different; I’m not your typical dietitian. No white coat and apple here! After working as a dietitian in a busy hospital in Nottingham, I saw a job advertisement for a dietitian in Bahrain. I wasn’t too sure where that was but immediately knew I was getting that job!

How and why did you start your business?

Obesity is a major public health issue in Northern Ireland, but the Middle East has some of the highest obesity rates in the world due to a mix of rich traditional Arabic foods, Western fast foods, sedentary lifestyles, and cultural issues. Medical care is mainly private practice, focusing on treating obesity with medical interventions like surgeries and medications. Despite the Royal College of Physicians and the American Medical Association recognising obesity as a disease, we’re not doing enough about it here in Northern Ireland. I want to help change that.

Did you always know you wanted to do this?

My journey into dietetics was deeply personal. From a young age, I knew I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. At 16, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, a condition impacting metabolism and weight. This gave me first-hand experience on how nutrition impacts health and wellbeing. Determined to turn my struggle into strength, I pursued a career as a dietitian.

What is the concept behind your business?

There’s great value in treating obesity—not just the associated health problems. However, obesity here remains largely untreated. The causes are complex, and weight stigma, bias, and discrimination are still significant issues. People living with obesity face judgment and shame, making it harder to seek treatment. My vision is to ensure every person has the knowledge and tools to take control of their health.

What is your educational background?

I hold:

A BSc (Hons) in Human Nutrition with state registration in Dietetics (University of Ulster)
An MSc Module in Nutrition and Cardiovascular Disease
A Postgraduate Diploma in Obesity and Weight Management (University of South Wales)
A YMCA gym instructor award

Services Provided

With a focus on long-term health and wellbeing, my services are tailored to individual needs, including:

60-minute one-to-one dietetic consultations, assessments, and custom nutrition plans
30-minute reviews
Advice on weight-loss medications (e.g., Mounjaro or Wegovy) alongside a healthy lifestyle
Drop-in weigh, measure, and catch-up sessions
FREE monthly support groups
Corporate wellbeing services promoting workplace health and wellness

Is there a big market for your services?

Obesity is one of the biggest health challenges today. In Northern Ireland, nearly 7 out of 10 adults and 3 out of 10 children are overweight or obese.

Obesity is serious—it’s not just about appearance; it’s a significant health risk, increasing the chances of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. It impacts quality of life, reduces life expectancy, and places a strain on the NHS and economy, costing around £500 million annually in Northern Ireland.

Causes are complex, involving an overabundance of food, lower physical activity, and environmental and genetic factors. This leads to a positive energy balance, causing fat storage. Larger fat cells release substances that make weight loss harder.

What do you love most about your job?

My work is much more than helping someone ‘lose weight.’ It’s about educating and empowering people to reclaim their health and confidence. I love seeing a client go from feeling ‘stuck’ to feeling empowered. Progress is when clients share that they can keep up with their kids or have lowered their blood pressure.

Find out more at solutionsweightmanagement.co.uk.

Tuesday 28 January 2025