What is Loozit?

The Loozit study offers a new and exciting FREE weight management program available for young people aged between 13 and 16 years.

The Loozit study empowers young people with skills, knowledge and confidence to re-gain control of their body size, build self esteem, set healthy active goals and to get more fun out of life!

What's involved?

Come along weekly in the late afternoons after school for 8 weeks for a snack and a chat with other young people just like you. You will continue to be supported by a reunion of the group once a school term for a period of 2 years.

What's it all about?

Together, we will look at building self-esteem, setting goals, fun ways to become more active, healthy eating, take away foods, and stress management.

The Loozit program is currently underway

Feedback from the participants has been very encouraging... they enjoy meeting other young people who share similar concerns, they enjoy the fun activities and food demonstrations Loozit offers and they like belonging to a group.

There is opportunity for more young people to join Loozit...

Where: The Children's Hospital at Westmead
When: Starting the week of the 13th October, 2008

Another program is set to commence in school term 1 in 2009

Young People Talking About Loozit - Newspaper and TV Reports

Weight loss plan boosts teen's sex appeal - as seen in the Sydney Morning Herald, written by Natasha Wallace, photograph by Jon Reid

Loozit's a winner - as seen in the Parramatta Sun, written by Natalie Oliveri, photograph by Wesley Lonergan.

Hack: Young and Overweight - as seen on Triple J TV, interview by Ronan Sharkey.

A breath of fresh air - as seen in the Sydney Morning Herald Essentials section, written by Paula Goodyer, photographs by Quentin Jones and Domino Postiglione.

Obesity can be beaten - as seen in the Parramatta Sun, written by Natalie Oliveri, photograph by Natalie Spiteri.

Free program fills students in on healthy choices - as seen in the Hills Shire Times photograph by Brad Hunter.

Weight Problems Tackled - as seen in Hills News, written by Clare Bruce, photograph by Natalie Spiteri.

Sharing the problem of shedding weight - as seen in the Daily Telegraph, written by Catherine Nikas-Boulos, photographs by Bob Barker.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Loozit cost?

Loozit is a free weight management program. It only requires your time, commitment and enthusiasm!

How did the name Loozit evolve?

The weight management program was piloted with a group of young people in 2005. These young people came up with the name Loozit. We then conducted a survey with a larger group of young people to test whether they liked the name or whether they would like to suggest another name for the program. The name Loozit was favoured by the majority surveyed.

What's the significance of the logo?

The green colour was chosen because it symbolises young people and health. The orange colour symbolises fun and energy. The 'i' represents the young person enjoying and being victorious in living a healthy active lifestyle.

Does the program work?

For the young people who participated in the initial pilot program in 2005, there was a significant decrease in waist circumference, an increase in HDL-cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol), and an increase in self-esteem. Abstract for Pilot Study

The results and feedback from participants from this pilot were encouraging. Many of the young people in the program who were initially anxious about taking part were really glad that they participated.

How many young people have taken part in Loozit so far?

Loozit started in 2006 in Western Sydney at the Children's Hospital at Westmead and Hills area. Since then we have run 14 groups and over 90 young people are involved so far. Recruitment is currently continuing in western, central and northern Sydney.

How is the Loozit program different to other programs?

Loozit is different from other weight management programs as it has been specifically designed with young people in mind. The program has been developed to run in the community, in adolescent friendly facilities, rather than through a hospital or clinic.

When the program was initially piloted in 2005, focus groups were held so that the young people and their parents could comment on what they liked, what they did not like and ways the program could be improved. These suggestions were incorporated into the current program. The study is novel as it has included evaluations of the program by the young people themselves.

The program involves both adolescents and their parents. By doing this, families can support the young person through their Loozit journey and make changes together.

Want to know more?

Please contact Janice O'Connor on (02) 9845-1291 or email: JaniceO@chw.edu.au
Or contact Vanessa Shrewsbury on (02) 9845-3015 or email: VanessS2@chw.edu.au
Or email loozit@chw.edu.au