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Assessing the real world effectiveness of the Healthy Eating Activity and Lifestyle (HEALTM) program

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 10:41 authored by Hetherington, SA, Borodzicz, JA, Shing, CM
Issue addressed Community-based lifestyle modification programs can be a valuable strategy to reduce risk factors for chronic disease. However, few government-funded programs report their results in the peer-reviewed literature. Our aim was to report on the effectiveness of the Healthy Eating Activity and Lifestyle (HEAL™) program, a program funded under the Australian government's Healthy Communities Initiative. Methods Participants (n = 2827) were recruited to the program from a broad range of backgrounds and each week completed an hour of group-based physical activity followed by an hour of lifestyle education for 8 weeks. Physical activity, sitting time, fruit and vegetable consumption, anthropometric measures, blood pressure and functional capacity data were gathered at baseline and post-program. Results HEAL™ participation resulted in significant acute improvements in frequency and volume of physical activity, reductions in daily sitting time and increases in fruit and vegetable consumption. HEAL™ participation led to reductions in total body mass, body mass index, waist circumference and blood pressure and to improvements in functional capacity (P < 0.001). Conclusions Based on these findings and the coordinated approach to program delivery, the HEAL™ program warrants consideration as a behaviour change strategy in primary health care networks, local government or community settings. So what? These findings should inform future policy development around implementation of lifestyle modification programs; they strengthen the case for support and promotion of lifestyle modification programs to improve public health, lessening the financial and personal burden of chronic conditions.

History

Publication title

Health Promotion Journal of Australia

Volume

26

Pagination

93-98

ISSN

1036-1073

Department/School

School of Nursing

Publisher

Australian Health Promotion Association

Place of publication

Australia

Rights statement

?© Australian Health Promotion Association 2015

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Specific population health (excl. Indigenous health) not elsewhere classified

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