The OPAL Project: Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle

The Health, Disability and Lifespan Development Research Group, School of Psychology are hosting a presentation by Mark Williams, SA Health, State Manager, OPAL Project.

In this presentation Mark will outline the Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle (OPAL) program, its implementation in SA and the links to an international network for promoting healthy weight. Launched in South Australia in March 2009, the new five-year, $22.3m OPAL program is aimed at promoting good health in our community by starting at the beginning - with our children.

In the first year, six councils are committed to the OPAL program: Playford, Mount Gambier, Salisbury, Marion, Onkaparinga and Port Augusta. As a result, the program could reach up to 90,000 South Australian children and their families.

OPAL will provide a basis for government and local community groups to work together to develop community-wide solutions to health issues. Federal and state funding will support the initiative, along with local contributions.