Participant profile and impacts of an Aboriginal healthy lifestyle and weight loss challenge over four years 2012–2015

• Main Authors: Anne C. Grunseit, Erika Bohn‐Goldbaum, Melanie Crane, Andrew Milat, Aaron Cashmore, Rose Fonua, Angela Gow, Rachael Havrlant, Kate Reid, Kiel Hennessey, Willow Firth, Adrian Bauman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2019-08-01
• Series: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
• Subjects: physical activity; obesity; intervention; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; weight loss
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12914

Abstract Objective: To explore participation, consistency of demographic and health profiles, and short‐term impacts across six Aboriginal Knockout Health Challenge (KHC) team‐based weight loss competitions, 2012 to 2015. Methods: Data comprised one competition each from 2012 and 2013 and two per year in 2014 and 2015. We compared baseline and change (pre‐ to post‐competition) in weight, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity and waist circumference (baseline only) across competitions using mixed models. Results: Numbers of teams and participants increased from 2012 to 2015 from 13 and 324 to 33 and 830, respectively. A total of 3,625 participants registered, representing 2,645 unique people (25.4% repeat participation). Participants were mainly female and >90% were classified obese at baseline. Baseline weight and weight lost (between 1.9% and 2.5%) were significantly lower in subsequent competitions compared with the first. Improvements in fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity were comparable across competitions. Conclusion: The KHC has increasing and sustained appeal among Aboriginal communities, attracting those at risk from lifestyle‐associated chronic disease and effectively reducing weight and promoting healthy lifestyles in the short term. Implications for public health: Community‐led programs generated by, and responsive to, Aboriginal Australians’ needs can demonstrate consistent community reach and sustained program‐level lifestyle improvements.