26 July 2024
A SWSPHN-funded lifestyle program which was trialled through general practices in our region is giving hope to those at risk of suffering serious health problems.
The eight-week Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyle (HEAL™) pilot program offered participants the chance to develop lifelong healthy eating and physical activity behaviours.
What did the program involve?
It involved eight weekly group education and group exercise sessions as well as individual consultations at the beginning and end of the program. There were also five-month and 12-month follow-up health consultations.
Each week participants undertook one hour of supervised group-based low to moderate intensity physical activity, followed by a one-hour group-based healthy lifestyle education class.
They also attended a case conference with their GP, exercise physiologist and dietician at the beginning of the program and six months after its completion.
The program was developed for GP practices in the region to offer to patients who are at risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions, such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and high cholesterol, which can all increase a person’s risk of suffering a heart attack or a stroke.
SWSPHN funded the program which was free for patients who also received a $50 gift voucher if they completed it successfully. GP practices were recruited into the program through an EOI process.
A GP’s perspective
When approached by SWSPHN to find 10 patients willing to take part in the program, Fairfield GP Dr Dong Hua (pictured) didn’t hesitate.
“This program was very beneficial to all the patients who took part in it,” Dr Hua said. “In addition to weight loss, there were noticeable improvements in blood pressure, diabetes control and, in some instances, their psychological wellbeing.
“Obesity is a growing health epidemic in South Western Sydney and across Australia. The program was a great initiative for patients to lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle.”
Participants were patients whose weight registered in the obese range and had another metabolic risk factor such as hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and/or impaired fasting glycaemia.
Dr Hua said most of his patients were enthusiastic about the program and keen to take part in group discussions.
Of the 10 who began the program, six made it to the end of the eight weeks and all but one lost weight.
“Patients were recalled by our receptionist each week to attend the sessions with the dietician and exercise physiologist,” Dr Hua said.
“I would also have an interim consultation with each one, measuring their weight and waist circumference so they could see the results and gain encouragement to continue with implementing what they had been taught.
“After completing the eight-week program, they then met with each allied health professional five months later. We also conducted a group case conference at six months to see each patient’s progress and outcome.”
Dr Hua said it was significant that some of the participants not only lost weight but maintained it over the six-month period after the program ended.
“They developed healthier habits as evidenced by that weight loss which was maintained over time,” he said.
“While some weight loss might not be significantly large, it was a positive change in their lifestyle habits which can be seen as the way forward in providing healthier outcomes.”
The dietician’s experience
Consultant dietician Geeta Khurana said her sessions gave the participants an opportunity to share their thoughts and struggles in adopting the healthy lifestyle changes.
“The group session contributed to their learning and provided them with an opportunity to offer each other solutions in resolving their eating habits,” Geeta said.
She said setting small, realistic and specific goals helped the participants to make progress. Open and effective communication helped to keep them engaged.
“The patients were offered support for maintaining changes and accomplishing goals and each session focused on promoting healthy habits for everyone in the group, while also ensuring each member was on track to reach their personal goals. Throughout the sessions patients were encouraged to learn from one another’s experience and share the knowledge they had gathered on their own nutritional journey.
“They were motivated and applauded, even on the small changes that they were able to make. Nutrition pamphlets and resources were provided to them to help them through their lifestyle modifications.”
Geeta said most patients were confused with limited professional knowledge and a lot of conflicting information on the internet when trying to make healthy lifestyle changes.
“The prevalence of obesity, diabetes and heart conditions has been steadily increasing over the years and all these things pose a risk for to the community in terms of mental well-being and a financial burden for families,” she said. “These types of community initiatives are always welcome.”
Information for patients
Health Resource Directory has a factsheet with tips for maintaining healthy behaviour change which you can print out for your patients.
Visit Health Resource Directory
