RESIDENTS are encouraged to utilise a free state service aimed at helping people ditch the extra kilos and get healthy in the new year.
With rates of obesity continuing to rise in Australia and access to services limited in the region, NSW Health has reminded residents to access the Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service.
The service provides information and individual coaching to help people make positive and healthy lifestyle changes and shed unwanted extra kilos.
Since launching in 2009, the service has helped more than 40,000 people make healthier lifestyle changes and lose between 2.5 and 10 per cent of their weight.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s (MLHD) manager of Health Promotion Christine May said around 56 per cent of people who completed the coaching service lost significant weight, including people from lower socio-economic backgrounds and people living in regional and remote locations.
“This is significant for our region, particularly in areas where access to services can be difficult,” she said.
“Every kilogram of excess weight lost brings many long-term health benefits. For example, a weight loss of up to 10 per cent greatly reduces an overweight person’s risk of chronic disease.
“And the best news of all was participants had maintained their behavioural changes six months after completing the coaching program, with continued significant weight loss,” Ms May said.
Ms May hopes the service provides residents with the extra support and encouragement needed to reduce the risk of being overweight or obese.
More than 63 per cent of Australian’s adults are overweight or obese.
