Monash University Study - The impact of the GCC on reducing the life threatening risks of heart disease and diabetes
In 2008/2009 the Foundation for Chronic Disease Prevention (FCDP), in conjunction with Monash University's Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, conducted a major study involving 762 participants in the GCC 2008. The aim of the study was to evaluate both the short term (before and after the 2008 event) and long term, (12 month and 18 month follow-up), impact that of the GCC on reducing the life threatening risks of heart disease and diabetes.
Results:
The participants in the Monash study had an average step count of 11,702 steps per day for 125 days.
- At 4 months, 54% and 23% of participants with high risk blood pressure and or high risk waist circumference respectively, had changed to low risk by the end of GCC 2008. So, over half of the study group fundamentally altered their risk of a life threatening condition!
- At 12 months, (8 months post GCC), 49% and 17% of participants with high risk blood pressure and or high risk waist circumference at baseline respectively had remained at low risk 8 months post the GCC 2008.
This demonstrates the sustainability of the benefits gained during the GCC and indicates a substantial change in long-term health habits.
Measuring Quality of Life , participation in the GCC was associated with an immediate improvement in the mental component of health-related quality of life.
The breakthrough Monash study shows that people in the GCC:
- significantly reduced their systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure
- significantly reduced their waist measurement
- significantly reduced their waist to hip ratio
The end result is a significantly reduced risk of major disease and a significantly improved physical, mental, and emotional state of health.