Castle Hill Medical Centre is excited to offer patients a structured lifestyle program to promote optimal health and wellbeing and reducing risk factors associated with being overweight.

Obesity is a leading cause of morbidity in the first world countries. It has doubled since 2007. Close to 60% of the Australian adult population and 50% among 16 to 18 year olds. Obesity leads to a lot of chronic diseases like metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, hypertension, varicose veins and chronic lymphoedema. Type 2 diabetes can lead to other diseases like coronary artery disease, kidney failure and renal dialysis if the kidney disease is severe. Lymphoedema can lead to cellulitis and chronic leg ulcer. Osteoarthritis can lead to joint replacements of knee, hip and ankle mostly due to these joints being weight bearing joints and the mechanical effect of the weight itself. Surgical procedures can be a precursor to DVT (blood clot in the leg) or clot in the lung. As you can see, there is a domino effect to obesity.

We as a nation must find a way to help reduce the burden on the financial impact of obesity related problems. At Castle Hill Medical Centre, we decided to do something to help the public at a cost that is affordable. We now offer our Health, Exercise and Lifestyle Program (HELP). This program is developed in collaboration with doctors, dietitians and practice nurses. We want the public to be aware that HELP is available. We want to help people without the use of drugs. We have learned from experience that crash diets can fix the problem in the short term only. This is a two-year program because we want to support our patients till we have achieved their goal weight and have taught them about lifestyle changes. We acknowledge that all components are equally important to sustain weight loss and keep it off. By monitoring our patients regularly and reinforcing what we have taught them.

HELP focuses on a holistic and individually customised program. We are all individuals and as such need a tailored healthy lifestyle program to ensure long term health benefits.

HELP is a nurse led clinic with regular GP visits that incorporate healthy diet and exercise education. It provides food and exercise diaries, goal setting techniques, behavioural interventions, relapse prevention, measurements including blood pressure, waist circumference, weight / body composition analysis and appropriate blood tests. We can also assist with possible medication reviews and referrals to Dietitians and/or Exercise Physiologists as required.

Weight Loss Benefits

Even small reductions in weight can aid in:

Reduction of systolic blood pressure
Reduction in risk of heart disease
Improvement in symptoms of reflux
Improved pain control from osteoarthritis
Improved glycemic control
Reduced symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea
Improvement in self-reported quality of life, self-esteem and depression.

Patients will have access to periodic Body Composition Analysis Technology which is a superior analysis method over measuring weight or Body Mass Index (BMI).

It will analyse:

BMI
Body Fat %
Body Fat Mass
Fat Free Mass
Muscle Mass
Total Body Water %
Total Body Water
Bone Mass
Visceral Fat Rating
Metabolic Age
Basal Metabolic Rate
Physique Rating

If you would like to consult with one of our doctors or Preventative Health team regarding the HELP program, please call or email the team directly at help@CHMC.com.au