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Curtin program tackling childhood obesity

Curtin University of Technology is aiming to tackle childhood obesity through a new multidisciplinary program.

Curtin’s Activity, Food and Attitudes Program (CAFAP) is an eight-week program which involves physiotherapists, dietitians, social workers and clinical psychologists working with young people and their families on exercise and lifestyle.

Participants will be involved in exercise classes and information sessions on how to incorporate healthy eating and habit changes into their lives.  Parents will also participate in exercise and lifestyle workshops.

CAFAP Program Coordinator, Nicola Hamilton, said the program aimed to promote long-term lifestyle changes.

“The program does not promote rapid weight loss with in the eight weeks, but gives the participants the skills to ensure that they can maintain a healthier weight and live a long and healthy life,” she said.

“The interdisciplinary approach allows the participants to benefit from the skills of a variety of professionals who can help them make changes to their lives.

“By including parents in the program we hope they will encourage changes in their family and friends.”

Participants are being sought for the eight-week program starting on 27 July.

Participants must be aged between 12-16 years, have a BMI over the 85th percentile, their obesity is unlikely to be due to genetic, endocrine or metabolic disease and be able to participate in the program twice a week with a parent at the University’s Bentley Campus.  

Curtin hopes to eventually help other agencies run similar programs in other areas.

To participate contact Nicola Hamilton on 9266 4644 or n.hamilton@curtin.edu.au

Update on Curtin students quarantined in China

Fifteen Curtin University of Technology students who have been quarantined as a result of swine flu in China will arrive in Perth tonight.

Another 10 including a lecturer who have tested positive to the virus remain in hospital in Beijing where they are receiving medical treatment.

Curtin’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Professor Jane den Hollander, said the students flew out of Beijing this morning and were currently en route to Perth.

“Those members of the group who are still in hospital will fly home as soon as they are released,” she said.

“We are in constant contact with them and will ensure they come home as soon as they possibly can.”

Professor den Hollander said she looked forward to welcoming home the students when they returned to Perth tonight.

The Curtin construction management students left Perth on June 19 to travel to China for a study tour.

Volunteers wanted for cancer study

Curtin University of Technology researchers are looking for volunteers to participate in a study focusing on immune function in mesothelioma patients.

Healthy volunteers aged over 60 are needed for the study which aims to find ways to help the body reject tumours.

Participants will be required to have 50ml of blood taken and will also need to answer some brief general health questions.

Volunteers can be visited by the researchers or they can travel to Curtin to have their blood taken.

For more information contact Scott Cornwall, School of Biomedical Sciences, on (08) 9361 9074 or s.cornwall@exchange.curtin.edu.au 

Curtin seeks host families

Curtin University of Technology researchers are looking for families to host rural-based 3rd year nursing students visiting Perth for work experience in city hospitals.

Host families are provided with financial assistance during the student’s stay, and are required to provide a healthy and secure environment, as well as food and lodging.

Curtin’s Director of Clinical and Nursing Practice, Anna Bosco, said host families were integral to the program’s success.

“Local families have a real opportunity to contribute to the future of nursing by providing a home environment during this 10-day practical experience program,” she said.

For more information contact Rachel Howard, School of Nursing and Midwifery, on (08) 9266 9251 or r.howard@curtin.edu.au

Update on Curtin students quarantined in China

Fourteen Curtin University of Technology students who have been quarantined in China because of swine flu are expected to leave Beijing tomorrow.

Another 10 including a lecturer who have tested positive to the virus remain in hospital in Beijing where they are receiving medical treatment.

Curtin’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Professor Jane den Hollander, said Curtin had arranged for the students to depart Beijing on Thursday morning.

“We have been working hard to expedite the departure of the students from Beijing and those who have been in quarantine are set to fly home tomorrow,” she said.

“I have spoken to some of the students and we have endeavoured to make their time in quarantine easier.

“We have been in contact with their parents on a regular basis and with various authorities both in China and in Australia, including the office of Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith, to make sure that they have been given every possible assistance.”

Professor den Hollander said those who were still in hospital would be booked on the next available flight home as soon as Curtin was notified of their release date.

The Curtin construction management students left Perth on June 19 to travel to China for a study tour.