Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of the best things you can do for your health and wellbeing.
It’s important to reduce the risk of health issues by eating well and staying active. The best things you can do to achieve or maintain a healthy lifestyle is to eat a variety of healthy foods based on the Australian Dietary Guidelines (external site), and to participate in exercise or physical activity every day.
Programs for healthy lifestyles
As part of our whole of population approach for the prevention of overweight, obesity and chronic disease the Department of Health funds a number of statewide programs that can help you live and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Adults and families
- LiveLighter® (external site), delivered by Cancer Council WAis a healthy lifestyle promotion and education program and public health mass media campaign, helping Western Australian adults and families to lead a healthy life.
Healthy lifestyle programs for children
- Better Health Company (external site)delivers free, healthy lifestyle programs to families in Western Australia. The programs (below) provide weekly support from qualified health professionals, practical resources to support healthy behaviour change at home, and interactive weekly sessions. Families can choose to attend the group-based programs or the online program.
- Active8 Program for 2 - 5 years old (external site), is a free 8-week healthy lifestyle program providing evidence-based information and support on healthy eating, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour for families with children aged 2 - 5 years.
- Better Health Program for 6-12 years old (external site), is a free 10-week healthy lifestyle program for children aged 6-12 years and their families. The program provides families with support, resources and knowledge around physical activity, nutrition and behaviour change, to help families lead healthier lifestyles.
Healthy eating in WA schools
- FreshSNAP (Fresh School Nutrition Advisory Program) (external site), delivered by Nutrition Australia WA supports all WA schools to model healthy eating through nutrition education and creating healthy food environments within classrooms, school canteens and the whole school community. FreshSNAP provides schools with free phone, email, web and face-to-face support to implement the Department of Education’s Student Health in Public Schools Procedures, Appendix B. Healthy Food and Drink (external site). Schools can access a range of free curriculum materials, lesson plans, recipes, training and other tools, including FoodChecker - FreshSNAP (external site), an online recipe, menu and assessment tool.
Last reviewed: 08-09-2023
Acknowledgements
Chronic Disease Prevention
This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Information about a service, product or treatment does not imply endorsem*nt and is not intended to replace professional advice. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified professional for answers to their questions.
Related sites
As an expert in health and wellness with a deep understanding of the concepts related to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, I can attest to the critical importance of adopting positive habits for overall well-being. The evidence supporting the correlation between a healthy lifestyle and reduced risk of health issues is robust and continually growing.
Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article:
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Healthy Eating:
- Emphasizes the significance of consuming a variety of healthy foods based on the Australian Dietary Guidelines.
- Recommends a balanced diet to reduce the risk of health issues.
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Active Living:
- Advocates for regular exercise or physical activity as a key component of a healthy lifestyle.
- Highlights the benefits of staying active in preventing overweight, obesity, and chronic diseases.
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Overweight and Obesity:
- Acknowledges the importance of maintaining a healthy weight to reduce the risk of various health issues.
- Recognizes the need for a whole population approach to prevent overweight, obesity, and chronic diseases.
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Programs for Healthy Lifestyles:
- Discusses the Department of Health's commitment to funding statewide programs for the prevention of overweight, obesity, and chronic diseases.
- Specifically mentions "LiveLighter®," a healthy lifestyle promotion and education program for adults and families, delivered by Cancer Council WA.
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Healthy Lifestyle Programs for Children:
- Introduces the Better Health Company and its free, healthy lifestyle programs for families in Western Australia.
- Describes the "Active8 Program" for 2 - 5 years old and the "Better Health Program" for 6-12 years old, both aiming to provide support, resources, and knowledge around healthy eating and physical activity.
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Healthy Eating in WA Schools:
- Introduces "FreshSNAP" (Fresh School Nutrition Advisory Program) delivered by Nutrition Australia WA.
- Supports schools in modeling healthy eating through nutrition education and creating healthy food environments.
- Provides schools with free support, curriculum materials, lesson plans, recipes, and tools like FoodChecker.
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Acknowledgements and Disclaimer:
- Acknowledges the Department of Health's efforts in chronic disease prevention.
- Emphasizes that the publication is for education and information purposes only, not a substitute for professional advice.
- Encourages readers to seek advice from qualified professionals, recognizing the potential for changes in information over time.
In conclusion, these concepts collectively form a comprehensive approach to promoting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, encompassing both individual and community-wide initiatives. The evidence-based programs and strategies mentioned in the article demonstrate a commitment to improving public health and preventing chronic diseases.
