Mobilising a rural community to lose weight: impact evaluation of the WellingTonne Challenge.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of the WellingTonne Challenge.


METHODS
Before-after study.


METHODS
The National Action Agenda for the prevention and control of obesity in Australia identified community action and development as a key theme. The WellingTonne Challenge was a whole-of-community project designed to support a small rural community to lose weight and reduce their risk of chronic disease.


METHODS
Adult residents of the Wellington Local Government Area who were overweight or obese.


RESULTS
The project successfully engaged the community with around 10% of the target group formally participating in the Challenge. Participants achieved a weight reduction of around 3 kg each, as well as positive changes in diet and physical activity. A total of 59% of those who signed up for the Challenge achieved an accumulated loss of 687 kg at the end of the 12-week program--less than the community goal of 1000 kg.


CONCLUSIONS
The WellingTonne Challenge is a promising intervention. Wider implementation of this approach in other small rural communities might make a significant contribution to the national effort. The opportunity should be taken to undertake a more rigorous evaluation to determine whether this approach benefits communities in the longer term.
Lyle
David
D
Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health, Faculty of Medicine The University of Sydney, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. dlyle@gwahs.health.nsw.gov.au
Hobba
Janet
J
Lloyd
Karen
K
Bennett
Debbie
D
George
Trish
T
Giddings
Nicolla
N
Griffin
Norma
N
Chew
Patrick C L
PC
Harris
Mark
M
Heading
Gaynor
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015431:Weight Loss