SUPERHEALTH BASIC - DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A LOW-COST COMMUNITY-BASED LIFE-STYLE CHANGE PROGRAM

This research describes the development and evaluation of a community-based lifestyle change health promotion programme in New Zealand. The six-week small group programme, called Superhealth Basic, comes as a low-cost resource kit capable of widespread distribution in the community. It is based on a combination of health and community psychology principles and methods, and is designed to be run by untrained lay leaders. A quasi-experimental trial involving 141 participants in 19 groups produced results showing significant positive changes in behaviour, health and wellbeing, with a high level of participant satisfaction and low dropout rates. At 12-month follow-up, the benefits of the programme were found to have been maintained with continuing expression of satisfaction with the programme. As a result of this research, Superhealth Basic is now available as a community resource throughout New Zealand.