Acceptability, feasibility, and program outcomes of an equity-focused, adapted community-based healthy lifestyle program for children, young people, and their families in Perth, Western Australia: an implementation hybrid research protocol
This paper describes the plan for evaluating an adapted, community-based healthy lifestyle program for children and families in Perth, Western Australia. The program aims to support children living with overweight or obesity by helping them build healthier eating, physical activity, and lifestyle habits. It also focuses on improving access to care for families who often face barriers to health services, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage.
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The program is based on an existing evidence-based model but has been adapted to better meet the needs of local communities. Researchers worked closely with healthcare professionals, community organisations, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives to ensure the program is practical, culturally appropriate, and relevant for participating families.
Rather than only measuring health outcomes, the study will also examine how well the program works in real-world community settings. Researchers will assess whether families and service providers find the program acceptable, whether it can be delivered as intended, how many families participate, and whether it could be expanded to other communities. The findings will help determine whether this community-based approach can be successfully expanded to improve access to healthy lifestyle support for more children and families across Western Australia.
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