Free healthy lifestyle program for families in the East Metropolitan area
The Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) offers a free, family-based program for children and young people in East Metropolitan Region (four to 16 years of age) affected by higher weight who want to make a healthy lifestyle change.
GPs and other health professionals involved in their care can refer with the consent of the parent or legal guardian, using the referral form or via practice referral letter, provided the following details are included:
- Child/young person’s name, date of birth, address, Medicare number, Indigenous status
- Details to confirm meeting above referral criteria (including weight and height of child/young person)
- Legal guardian’s name, contact details (including phone number), interpreter requirement
- Any other relevant family or medical details.
Upon referral, a healthy lifestyle check is provided in the home to understand how each family can be best supported with lifestyle change. Participants will then be invited with their parent/caregiver to attend a group session in the community, once a week for around six months.
Sessions will include a mix of fun nutrition, physical activity and wellbeing activities to provide families with practical information on how to make whole-of-family healthy lifestyle changes.
Repeat in-home health checks are provided at six and 12 months before referring back to the GP.
For more information, visit the CAHS website or download Healthy Lifestyle Program – Information for Health Professionals. The Healthy Lifestyle Program – Information for Families brochure is also available to provide to patients.