For men, run by men
GIRTH (Get Involved Reach Top Health) is a 12-week peer-led community based healthy lifestyle program for men and run by men. GIRTH was developed by the Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing at the University of Adelaide in collaboration with the CSIRO, the Freemasons Foundation, UniSA and SA Health, and men themselves.
A focus on four lifestyle areas
Groups of men meet for 12 weekly sessions to increase knowledge, set realistic targets and develop self-management skills around four key lifestyle areas - nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress - with the overall aim of achieving sustainable lifestyle change for reduced girth (waist circumference) and better health.
Male specific health topics
A range of male specific topics (such as erectile dysfunction, testosterone, testicular and prostate cancer) and other health education topics are also covered over the 12 week program.
Tried and tested
GIRTH was successfully tested using objective and subjective measures in a national RCT and subsequently validated in a first-in-community roll-out trial. Benefits over 12 weeks include:
How to run GIRTH in your community group or organisation
To run GIRTH, you need a venue that will accommodate up to 15 men (max group size), with AV facilities, men interested in participating, and two men who are willing to share the job of running the program as volunteer peer leaders.
Peer leaders are trained in group facilitation techniques by the Centre. Booklets and peer facilitator materials are arranged by the Centre.
For more information
Contact the centre at menshealth@adelaide.edu.au