An interactive program aimed at helping children manage their weight will continue to be offered free of charge to families across regional Western Australia after receiving funding from the WA Country Health Service.
The Better Health Program is a free healthy lifestyle program for 7 to 13-year-olds who are above a healthy weight and their families, run by qualified health professionals.
The funding will allow Better Health to be delivered in Term 1, 2019 in Northam.
The program comprises of a a two-hour session once a week for 10 weeks.
WA Country Health Service chronic conditions program manager Kate Hawkings said the initiative was part of the Healthy Country Kids Strategy which aims to provide children in country WA with services that support their optimal health, development and wellbeing.
“The Better Health Program has been delivered in the Perth metropolitan area since 2014, so we are pleased to be extending it across regional WA to give country families access to an evidence-based program aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles for children,” she said.
Better Health Program WA project manager Chris Vavakis said families across the state could now be involved in the fun, friendly and supportive program.
“The program encourages families to make healthier choices and follow an active lifestyle,” he said.
“Children become healthier and fitter while their self-esteem and confidence increase greatly.”
The Better Health Program aims to support families to improve their eating and exercise habits, thereby improving children’s fitness, physical activity levels, nutrition and self-esteem.
Rather than focusing on weight loss, the program uses a practical, interactive learning approach to teach children and parents weight management skills.
This includes supporting families to adopt healthier lifestyles through nutrition sessions on preparing and eating healthy foods, reading food packaging labels, menu planning and healthy shopping on a budget.
Participants are also taken on a supermarket tour where they apply all their acquired knowledge from the program into practice.
Families interested in participating should contact the Better Health Company on 1300 822 953 or visit www.betterhealthprogram.org to register.
