An innovative Â鶹ֱ²¥ of Technology professor has developed a peer support program to help middle-aged men fight obesity.<\/p>\n
The Waist Disposal Challenge (WDC) \u2014 Australia\u2019s only community-based program targeting middle-aged men \u2014 has helped participants lose weight\u00a0 and in turn reduced their risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.<\/p>\n
Professor Samar Aoun, of Curtin\u2019s Faculty of Health Sciences, said the program had proved extremely successful.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe successfully trialled the WDC with about 750 men from 23 Rotary Clubs across WA,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost clubs had 50 per cent or more of their members lose weight and reduce their body mass index (BMI).<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was also pleasing to see that at three clubs 70 per cent of their members lost weight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professor Aoun said there were three key aspects of program that helped with weight loss.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll participants were advised on nutrition, exercise and other healthy lifestyle habits through educational presentations at club meetings,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cClubs also competed against each other to see which had the largest reduction in BMI to win the Waist Disposal Trophy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis ongoing competition was recorded on a leader board which helped spur on participants.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo volunteers from each club, called \u2018champions,\u2019 were also used to encourage their peers to adopt a healthier lifestyle and take charge of the competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cLifestyle coaching by telephone was another part of the program that proved crucial to its success.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Federal Government research grant has now helped to expand the program to 51 additional clubs across WA involving about 1,500 members, with benefits of the program flowing on to members\u2019 partners, families and work associates as well.<\/p>\n
Professor Aoun said the study showed the power of social networks in motivating change.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe role and influence of champions as lay leaders in the program was also particularly effective,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In the expanded study, one of the main goals is to train champions to have increased ownership of the program.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are now training champions to be able to implement the WDC in their own clubs without health professionals having to deliver the education component,\u201d Professor Aoun said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy training the champions this will decrease reliance on health professionals and reduce the burden on the health system as more and more people live with chronic diseases and live longer.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo date there are already 93 Rotary champions from 51 WA clubs participating in the training program.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to empower communities so that they can lead the fight against obesity.\u201d<\/p>\n
A number of organisations have been supportive of the earlier stages of this program including Australian Rotary Health, Edith Cowan University, Telstra, Rotary Clubs of Melville and South Bunbury, WA Country Health Services, Glaxo Smith Kline and NovoNordisk.<\/p>\n
Professor Aoun is currently seeking funding to expand the WDC program to a national level.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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