"Walkabout Together": A lifestyle intervention program developed for Townsville's overweight Indigenous people.

Abstract

The lifestyle intervention program “Walkabout Together” was developed due to concerns within the Townsville Indigenous community that obesity and chronic illness such as diabetes and hypertension were disproportionately high. It was felt that the impact of these conditions could be attenuated through lifestyle modification such as increased physical activity and improved nutrition. With this aim, Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Services (TAIHS) developed an integrated model for lifestyle intervention for overweight Indigenous adults. This involved a baseline assessment with general practitioner (GP) and program coordinator, recording blood sugar (BSL), cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1c) and Haemoglobin; nutrition assessment, physical activity assessment, and a well-being survey. Patients returned for regular follow-ups with health workers, a GP, and a dietitian. At 12 months patients were reassessed as for baseline.