OPAL
Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle
in
PORT AUGUSTA
OPAL is…
State and Local Government 5 year childhood obesity
prevention initiative – now in Port Augusta it continues
totally Local Government funded.
Based in Councils…
...a multi-site, multi-setting, multi-strategy
community-based childhood obesity
prevention initiative.
AIM
by
To improve eating and activity patterns of children, through
families and communities in OPAL regions and thereby increase
the proportion of 0-18 year olds in the healthy weight range.
reducing EDNP consumption
and increasing nutritious
food consumption (HE)
reducing sedentariness and
increasing physical activity
(PA)
WHY OPAL IN
PORT AUGUSTA?
> 13,985 (ABS Census 2011).
> Port Augusta’s council area has a high proportion of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with 17.8%
compared with a state average of 1.7%.
> Port Augusta residents have higher rates of diabetes
Type 2, high cholesterol, circulatory system diseases.
> Residents of Port Augusta have higher rates of all
health risk factors than the South Australian average.
> 25% of 4 year olds overweight or obese (OPAL
comm 2009)
Healthy Foods EVERYWHERE
Understanding, Growing, Buying, Cooking,
Selling…..ENJOYING
Our environments – where its easier to be
active and healthy and have FUN
PORT AUGUSTA
NATIONAL WINNER
HEART FOUNDATION
HEALTHY COMMUNITY
AWARDS 2014
(pop under 15000)
Council set the foundation
> Policies, consultations, community engagement and
strategic planning involving health, wellbeing and
social issues
> A council that took responsibility, embraced OPAL
and continues to support these messages.
3 Key Initiatives!
1. THE COASTAL PATH PROJECT
> connected existing paths to travel length of city
> 7.8 km offroad walking/riding path
> Multiple residential access points
> Incorporates water drinking poles, community/tourism
facilities, fitness stations, playgrounds,
parks/reserves/beaches, urban centres.
2. CENTRAL OVAL COMMUNITY SPORTING HUB
PROJECT
Development includes;
•AFL standard football oval
•Netball courts (11 outdoor, 3 indoor)
•Two storey multi use stadium including 3 multi use basketball
courts
•Function space
•Parents area
•Canteen/café
•For enjoying sports, recreation and arts on elite, regional and
grass roots levels
•Central hub to meet, interact and come together
•Consultation with Aboriginal groups, parent groups, health
sectors, OPAL and many more
•A development to be proud of, for our community to enjoy and
benefit from and to attract interest and participation from afar!
3. COUNCILS MULTI FACETED SUPPORT OF
HEALTHY CATERING
•Implementation of Port Augusta Council Healthy
Catering Policy
•Provision of OPAL Healthy Catering AND Healthy
BBQ small grants for community & sporting groups
•OPAL Healthy Kids Menu Project
•Carlton Aboriginal School Healthy Tuckshop Project
•OPAL training of Aboriginal Community Foodies
•OPAL Fresh Food and Fun Project
•Edible gardening promotions
•School/Preschool/Childcare initiatives
•OPAL Smoothie Bikes
HOW DOES OPAL LOOK IN PORT
AUGUSTA NOW?
Thank you