Students
PhD Student
Kristi Holloway RN, BSc(Hons)
Kristi Holloway is a PhD Candidate with the Western Australian Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University and a Registered Nurse. Kristi has clinical and research experience with chronic diseases in rural and regional areas. She completed her honours research on pain management in aged care. Kristi has been involved in several national health research projects and is currently completing a PhD in the area of Chronic Disease Self- Management with a project titled: Are self-management programs feasible in worksites in rural Western Australia? The Industry “Waist “Disposal Project. She is passionate about the provision of high quality health care and research, particularly in rural and regional areas.
Are self-management programs feasible in worksites in rural Western Australia? The Industry “Waist “Disposal Project
Chronic diseases are among the most prevalent, costly and preventable of all health problems. The health of ‘working class’ men in rural areas is an ongoing concern in Australia and these men are at an increased risk of developing chronic diseases. Many risk factors for chronic disease can be modified such as poor diet, excess weight and physical inactivity, and self-management programs have been shown to be effective in reducing these risk factors.
The “Waist” Disposal Model is one such program, that in the present study has been applied to men in seven worksites in regional Western Australia (WA). The three phase intervention (education, Body Mass Index (BMI) competition, and lifestyle coaching) is designed to induce a lifestyle behavioural change. This feasibility project aims to explore the stages of behaviour change that occur as men are empowered through acquiring self-management skills.
A mixed method study is being applied to determine the feasibility of implementing the intervention into worksites to reduce BMI as the primary outcome, and motivate men of working age (average 41 years) to choose healthy diet and take up regular exercise to assist in preventing chronic disease. A convenience sampling method has been used to access approximately 100 men in worksites in regional WA.
Preliminary results suggest that men are responsive to the strategies applied in this project because they are being empowered to adopt healthy lifestyles and achieve healthy weight ranges. The model applies strategies that could be transferable to target men living in rural areas for whom health promotion is often difficult. The potential of this project in preventing or delaying the onset of chronic disease and saving in health care costs cannot be underestimated.
More information is available at: http://waistdisposalchallenge.com.au
