Spanning South Perth, Victoria Park, Belmont, Canning, Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Gosnells and Armadale councils, the organisation helps GPs, physiotherapists and occupational therapists better co-ordinate their efforts.
Active Measures is a nine-month program that combines group and personal exercise training by exercise physiologists with one-on-one dietician consults. It measures effects on blood sugar and pressure, cholesterol and weight, and shares them with doctors.
Health nutritionist Rebecca Fleming said the initiative’s combined focus was a novel approach, as was its accessibility; those taking part can choose day or evening sessions across the southeastern suburbs.
Ms Fleming said in the of weeks since the program began, people signing up had included teenagers, young adults, workers and retirees.
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READ NOW‘Some of them are genuinely looking for change,’ she said. ‘These changes aren’t going to come in a week, but the hope is that getting people out and giving them resources (means) they’ll increase their activity and get that behaviour started.’
Dietitian Megan Hardy said the first step was ‘giving it a go’.
‘The program is really flexible, so people can develop good relationships’