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'Romp & Chomp' project - results released
Results of the Romp & Chomp project, a community-based obesity prevention initiative focused on preschool children in Geelong, were released on Friday 16th October 2009. The project achieved significant reductions in prevalence of overweight and obesity in 2 year old children and 3.5 year old children (2.5% and 3.4% respectively). Important changes in obesity-promoting behaviours were also observed, including reduced intake of sweet drinks and increased fruit and vegetable consumption.
The results were officially presented to Community Services Minister Lisa Neville by researcher Dr Andrea de Silva Sanigorski (Deakin University) at Kiralee Kindergarten in Newcomb. This is an exciting example of the excellent results that may be achieved through multi-strategy community-based obesity prevention interventions.
The Romp & Chomp program was developed by a group of local organisations in partnership with Professor Boyd Swinburn from Deakin University’s World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention in Geelong. Implementation of the program was in conjunction with other local initiatives, including Kids - Go for Your Life and Smiles 4 Miles. Interventions were wide ranging, but focussed predominantly on creating supportive environments for healthy eating and active play in early childhood settings, including family day care, kindergartens and childcare centres.
The summary report of the outcome and impact evaluation, along with detailed process reports for each objective, can be accessed from the Go for Your Life professionals website via the following link: www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au/rompandchomp
The press release with details of last Friday's launch can be accessed on the following link: Romp & Chomp press release
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