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General practice wellness and weight
The Stirling Central Health Clinic facilitates ‘Wellness and Weight’ groups for working adults aged 40–49 years with a BMI of >25 kg/m2. Six group sessions of approximately 10 participants are run over a number of weeks and held after-hours. The group sessions focus on encouraging and enabling participants to identify and increase positive health activities rather than focusing solely on weight loss. Education is presented from a weight-inclusive perspective using positive language and includes presentations on mindful eating, positive body image, stress reduction, enjoyable activity versus ‘exercise’, and nutrition. Presenters include a clinical psychologist and dietician with a special interest in the management of obesity.
Participants develop and set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic, Time-related) program goals in conjunction with the PN, and outcomes are measured at three, six and 12 months. Measurements taken include BMI, blood pressure and bloods, as well as measurements of happiness and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) score. Participants are also asked to identify healthy activities they would like to try and, where possible, one-off ‘try before you buy’ sessions are arranged in addition to the six sessions. Activities identified have included Pilates, a healthy cooking class and a screening of the documentary Embrace.
One of the most valuable outcomes has been the social support the participants find within the group setting, which helps them to continue their health-positive journey upon conclusion of the group sessions.
– Sally Jarrett, Practice Manager, Stirling Central Health Clinic
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