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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