08 Mar 2010
L-R: Stephen Sneddon (Coal & Allied Community Development Fund Executive Officer), Shannyn Robards (Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids participant), Cam Halfpenny (General Manager Operations of Coal & Allied's Mount Thorley Warkworth Mine), Associate Professor Philip Morgan (Lead researcher, Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids, University of Newcastle), Professor Maree Gleeson (HMRI Director).
Hunter researchers and Dads will team up against obesity in a new research partnership between the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) and Coal and Allied.
The Coal and Allied Community Development Fund has committed $524,453 over three years to HMRI to fund a world-first community-driven approach to reducing obesity, one of
“Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids is an internationally significant program that teaches Dads how to survive in today’s high calorie, low exercise environment. It recognises that fathers are role models to their children, and equips them with the knowledge and tools to improve their family’s quality of life,” said lead researcher Associate Professor Philip Morgan from the
Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids was successfully piloted in a University setting in
“We will train health and education leaders within each community, enabling them to continue the program beyond the first three years for long-term health benefits. Many families will have the opportunity to complete the program and experience improved physical and psychological health,” said Professor Morgan.
“It changed the way we look at food across the whole house and has made us a lot more conscious of physical activity and time together. I dropped from 86 to 72 kilos and have since beaten my 27 year old son in a half marathon!” said Mr Robards.
“In time, this project could be adopted by government, health care policy makers and communities throughout
HMRI is a partnership between the
Media contact: Lauren Eyles, HMRI Communications Manager, phone 4921 4841 or 0434 600 940.
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