Eligibility Criteria
The general eligibility for a fully funded
program are:
• urrent or historical diagnosis of
C
osteoarthritis supported by radiological
evidence (eg. x-ray or MRI) or an
incidental finding from a previous
arthroscopy, AND
• Body mass index (BMI) ? 30
[BMI =body weight (kg) ÷ (height in metres)²]
AND
• According to medical opinion,
AT LEAST ONE of the following:
a) knee or hip joint osteoarthritis
symptoms that have (or are likely
to in the foreseeable future)
necessitated referral to an
orthopaedic surgeon for further
investigation or evaluation for an
initial or second joint replacement
procedure OR
b) An existing knee or hip joint
replacement that has developed
symptoms such as pain, swelling,
instability or warmth and could
benefit from weight loss, improved
fitness and muscle strength OR
c) A knee or hip joint replacement
procedure is planned and weight
loss, improved fitness and muscle
strength prior to surgery is desirable.
Program eligibility criteria may change from
time to time.
To find out the full eligibility criteria
please visit:
www.HealthyWeightForLife.com.au and
click on the Osteoarthritis (OA) Program
button or phone 1800 226 180.
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Program Overview
Each 6 week phase of the Integrated
Osteoarthritis Management™ Program has
its own:
• ortion control eating plan (includes
P
KicStart™ VLCD meal replacements).
• ctivity plan PLUS a Physiotherapist
A
developed knee and hip strength,
balance and mobility exercise program.
• nline* coaching plan.
O
• ersonalised online* self monitoring
P
and tracking system.
• ersonalised telephone motivation,
P
support and advice.
(*people without internet access can still do the program
via phone and post)
Phase 1 (weeks 1 – 6)
Reducing Joint Load and Stress
The primary goals for the first 6 weeks are to
achieve a weight loss of around 5 - 6%, get
sore joints moving, start feeling less pressure
and pain in the joints, plus understand the:
• undamentals of weight gain and
F
weight loss.
• nergy content of foods.
E
• enefits of regular physical activity.
B
• ationale for the use of pain medication
R
and complementary
non-medication pain
management strategies.
• auses of osteoarthritis
C
and how it progresses.
Visit www.HealthyWeightForLife.com.au and click on the Osteoarthritis (OA) Program button.
Phase 2 (weeks 7 – 12)
Improving Joint Function and
Pain Reduction
The primary goals for the second 6 weeks
are to achieve and maintain a weight loss
of at least 7% of your starting weight (with
a secondary goal of 10% loss if possible),
feel more energetic, progressively increase
walking and joint movement, feel a major
improvement in joint pain and function, plus
understand the:
• Influences on food choices – conscious
and unconscious.
• Benefits of reading nutritional panels.
• Stages of change.
• Psychological factors
affecting weight.
Phase 3 (weeks 13 – ongoing)
Weight Maintenance
Success for the third 6 weeks is sustaining a
stable weight, maintaining around 30 minutes
of walking each day, increasing lower limb
muscle strength, having greatly reduced joint
pain and a positive attitude for the long term,
plus understand the:
• Importance of not skipping breakfast.
• Importance of self monitoring.
• Strategies to improve motivation.
• Secrets for successful weight
maintenance.
The Integrated Osteoarthritis
Management™ Program
strategically combines:
?
KicStart™ VLCD - a thoroughly
researched, unique, high quality and
nutritionally complete very low calorie
diet (VLCD) meal replacement to ‘kick
start’ your weight loss and boost your
motivation.
? clever portion control eating system and
A
tools that shows you how to select the
right combinations of food and drink in the
right quantities, every day at every meal.
? hysiotherapist developed knee and hip
P
strength, balance and mobility exercise
program.
?
Coaching for making practical behaviour
and lifestyle changes – a carefully planned
sequence of coaching sessions to build up
knowledge and critical practical skills over
time.
? monitoring and tracking – special
Self
online and / or printed tools to help you
track your progress to success.
?
Telehealth - personalised telephone
motivation, support and advice.
As you move through the 3 phases of the
Program, the number of meals replaced
with KicStart™ VLCD are reduced as you
progressively build up the new sustainable
healthy eating and lifestyle habits you will
need to keep your weight under control for
life.
The tools, online (and/or printed) education
material and phone support are carefully
co-ordinated to help you learn and maintain
these important new habits.
There is no need to attend meetings or
clinics. All the program components are
delivered directly to you.
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