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Health Promotion Journal of Australia Health Promotion Journal of Australia Society
Journal of the Australian Health Promotion Association
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

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

Sharon A. Hetherington A D , Jerrad A. Borodzicz B and Cecilia M. Shing C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Exercise and Sports Science Australia, Locked Bag 102, Albion DC, Qld 4010, Australia.

B South Western Sydney Medicare Local, Sydney, PO Box 5919, Minto DC, NSW 2566, Australia.

C School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Locked Bag 1320, Launceston, Tas. 7250, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: sharon.hetherington@essa.org.au

Health Promotion Journal of Australia 26(2) 93-98 https://doi.org/10.1071/HE14031
Submitted: 9 May 2014  Accepted: 18 January 2015   Published: 23 April 2015

Journal Compilation © Australian Health Promotion Association 2015

Abstract

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.


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