Last year more than 20 fathers in Singleton took part in the program and have started off the new year with a healthier outlook.

The program runs for 12 weeks and focuses on weight loss for dads, healthy eating and incorporates physical activity sessions designed to help dads and their children bond.

Participating dads in last year’s program lost an average of three kilograms and 2.5 centimetres around the waist.

Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids will return to Singleton in May and all fathers are being encouraged to get involved.

One father that took part in the program and saw the results was electrician and dad-of-two Robert Hill.

Mr Hill joined the program after a visit to the doctor discovered abnormally high blood sugar levels.

He joined the program with his two sons Ricky, 11 and Zac, 10 and lost close to 10 kilograms and dropped 10 centimetres off his waist.

“Since joining the program and losing the weight my sugar levels have gone back to normal and I’ve discovered a new-found discipline with my diet and exercise,” Mr Hill said.

This year will be the programs fourth time in Singleton.

The program is being rolled out in communities across the Hunter Valley and is a partnership between Coal and Allied, Hunter Medical Research Institute, the University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Health.

Anyone that is interested

in signing up for the May program should contact Joel Cruickshank on 4921 6721 or email Joel.Cruickshank@newcastle.

edu .au