Overweight adolescents target of new program in western Sydney region

Dec 12, 2005

A research project to promote healthy eating and physical activity among overweight adolescents will be conducted in the western Sydney region of Sydney from February 2006.

The “Western Sydney Adolescent Sporting and Physical Activity Program”, being conducted through the University of Wollongong, is the first program of its kind conducted in the western Sydney region.

Master of Science student, Ms Elizabeth Vukovich, is undertaking the project as part of her Master of Science (Exercise Rehabilitation) degree. Her supervisor on the project is Dr Tony Okely a Senior Lecturer in Physical and Health Education and Director of the Child Obesity Research Centre at the University of Wollongong.

Ms Vukovich said there was little in the way of structured physical activity programs for adolescents in the western Sydney area – hence the 10-week program starting on February 7 next year will be held at the Fairfield City Leisure Centre. The idea stemmed from the gap in services provided at the leisure centre for adolescents.

She said the free program was targeting overweight males and females in the 12 to 16 years age group. Adolescents will need to attend the Fairfield centre twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for the one and a half hour sessions. Parents will be encouraged to attend with their children only for the dietary information side of the program.

Participants will be involved in a range of different activities including circuit based resistance training, intermittent cardiovascular exercise, sporting games, outdoor circuits and gym-based exercise with machines. Ms Vukovich is the instructor on the program.

She said that a “phone eligibility screen” would first be used to determine whether somebody was eligible to participate.

For further information contact Elizabeth Vukovich on 0401 607 439 (m).

Special note: Participants wishing to take part in the activity program should also contact: 0401 607 439 (m).

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128