The Effectiveness of the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) in Australasia for Reducing Selected Chronic Disease Risk Factors: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

<p><strong>Abstract</strong> <strong>Aim</strong> To examine the effectiveness within the Australasian context of the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) lifestyle intervention, which has been shown to produce meaningful reductions in selected chronic disease risk factors in the United States. <strong>Methods</strong> Changes in body weight, blood pressure, blood lipid profile and fasting plasma glucose were assessed in 836 self-selected participants (age=55.9±12.7 yrs, 35% male/65% female) from 18 sites throughout New Zealand (N=731) and Australia (N=105). <strong>Results</strong> In the 30 days of the program, significant overall reductions (pConclusions Significant reductions in selected chronic disease risk factors were observed in 30 days using the CHIP intervention and the improvements were comparable to that observed in cohorts from the United States. The results of this feasibility study indicate that lifestyle interventions like CHIP may be useful for combating the burgeoning epidemic of chronic disease and further research is warranted.</p>