Bupa - dedicated to helping find a healthier you.
The remotely delivered program designed to help give relief from knee and hip pain – using weight loss, muscle strengthening, activity and support.
The internationally published (ref 1, ref 2, ref 3) in-home program is suitable for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 28 who have knee and / or hip pain and reduced mobility and are motivated to:
- lose around 5-10%
- increase the strength of muscles around their knee and hip joints
- gently increase physical activity
All the products and tools are home delivered so the entire program can be done in the comfort of your own home regardless of whether you live in the city or country.
How can the program help me?
The program has been proven to improve day-to-day living and associated quality of life by reducing joint pain and stiffness and improving joint function. It can also improve preparation for joint surgery (if relevant).
All the products, service and support is provided at no cost to eligible members of participating health funds.
The program integrates:
5+% weight loss
Healthy Weight For Life portion planning and lifestyle modification system (view details) and phased use of KicStart™ VLCD meal replacements (view details).
Strength and mobility
Targeted strength, balance and mobility exercises to help stabilise joints and improve mobility - using the complete at home Strength, Mobility and Pain Management Kit (view details)
Gentle exercise plan
Gentle exercise such as walking to help reduce joint stiffness and improve physical function.
Pain management
Complementary pain management techniques and strategies.
Digital member hub
A secure personal web portal to track progress, access great resources and message your support team (view details).
Monitoring and support
A specialised healthcare team to provide support and guidance via phone, SMS, email, private online message board and post (view details).
Why is weight management important?
For each additional kilogram of body weight a person carries there is an extra 4 kilograms of force exerted through the knee joint with every step taken during the day.
For individuals with knee or hip osteoarthritis who are overweight Australian treatment guidelines strongly recommend a minimum weight loss target of 5–7.5% of body weight.
For people of healthy body weight, maintaining a healthy body weight is essential.
Click to view news report
The Program Includes
All the resources you need to do the program will be home-delivered to you at no cost (following the approval from your health fund).
The Healthy Weight For Life portion planning and lifestyle modification system
Phased use of KicStart VLCD meal replacement shakes and soups
Digital Member Hub - personal online tracking and resource web portal
Complete at home Strength, Mobility and Pain Management Kit
Expert support and guidance from the specialised allied health Care Support Team (view details).
Looking For More Information or Resources?
Phone 1800 226 180
Request program information
What participants say about the program
Shirley at week 18 - April 2020
It is an easy to follow and well supported program. The information and guidelines provided are realistic, providing everyday support and explanations. The way the breakfast, lunch and dinner options were listed was so easy to follow and remember for future reference. The book is a great asset to the program with very revealing information for use in life. It is easy to apply and doesn’t require anything special. A wonderful educational program!
Janet at week 18 - November 2019
I am so grateful for the OAHWFL program. I lost 10kg and 9 inches around my waist in the 18 weeks, thanks to the meal replacements and recipes and dietary advice. I had tons of energy and got motivated to exercise more. My hip replacement was last Feb, and I now ride 4kms on the cycle path every second day or so, and enjoy it. I lost a whole clothing size and feel healthy. Best of all, my hip pain is negligible and my chronic back pain is much less frequent. I can perform pretty much all household and gardening tasks that I was doing 2-3 years ago before my hip got bad.
Denis at week 18 - March 2020
It helped me drop blood pressure medications, more energy and overall well being. Fitter than I was 18 weeks ago, dropped 10cm off belt size!
Meredith at week 18 - December 2019
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Osteoarthritis Healthy Weight For Life program.
It has been life changing for both of us. I look in our pantry and the change is amazing. No more sweet biscuits, no snacks, no treats. More cans of beans etc for salads. Sugar is lasting twice as long as before and without a doubt the best tool has been the plate divider.
Frank is so much more mobile and has regained a confidence I have not seen for a very long time. He has increased his exercises (group based) and moves virtually independently within the house.
Other health issues have decreased dramatically and I can pinpoint the program as being the catalyst for improvement.
We are both grateful to have been offered this program and are determined to maintain the improvements we have achieved. We are both healthier, happier and a lot more mobile than in July/ Aug when we started.
Glen at week 18 - March 2020
This program has been very effective in assisting me to NOT require Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery. This is a major factor in my improved sense of well-being achieved throughout the last 16 weeks. I was scheduled by one orthopaedic specialist to undergo TKR on the 25th October, and, after seeking a 2nd opinion, that specialist clearly adopted a different paradigm to rushing to surgery. This has been so important, and my knee pain has improved significantly, as evidenced in my return to 'normal' activities' and reflected in my survey responses over time. My GP has been extremely impressed, and, most importantly, the impact of the support has been critically important in my not requiring TKR surgery, which has substantial risks and potential complications.
Dragana at week 18 – March 2020
"It helped me to lose ~17 kilos, my glucose levels are in normal ranges, my cholesterol reading much better and I feel full of energy almost all the time. I couldn't be happier with the results."
Media Mentions
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Click on the image to read the PDF version
Click on the image to read the PDF version
* No cost to eligible Bupa customers.
Clinical eligibility criteria - diagnosed knee or hip osteoarthritis and a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 28.
Policy eligibility criteria - hospital cover that includes joint replacement surgery that has been held for at least 12 months. Over the age of 40 and not previously enrolled in a Bupa funded Osteoarthritis Healthy Weight For Life™ program.