Success Stories: Transforming Lives Through the Local Obesity Program in Païta

2023-06-28 19:30:01

Malia, 37, is one of the 17 inhabitants of Païta who joined the local obesity program or POP, launched in January by the southern province. The six months of individual and collective monitoring officially end this Thursday. Out came “another Malia”. Testimony.

Cécile Rubichon • Published on June 29, 2023 at 06:30, updated on June 29, 2023 at 07:13

I knew I was obese. I felt heavy, I had trouble tying my shoelaces, it’s not normal, but I closed my eyes”, says Malia. For six months, she was followed by a psychologist, a dietician, a nurse, doctors and an educator in adapted physical activities. Like a dozen other inhabitants of Païta. All integrated into the local obesity program (POP), launched by the southern province on an experimental basis.

When she heard regarding it, Malia clicked. She realized she was scared. “Not to live long, not to see my children grow up, not to know my grandchildren.“Because she knows it: being overweight”causes disease”. Diabetes, cardiovascular, liver and gallbladder problems, joint pain, respiratory complications…”We learn it at school.

The program is free, the opportunity to try to change your habits, she thinks. To find out how she got there. “Got it“, she assures. Like almost all the other volunteers, she has forgotten herself. “For my children first. When I see their schooling, I am proud.“But she’s discovered that caring for herself and her family isn’t mutually exclusive. “I’m proud of the mom I am and the woman I’ve become.”. Far from the December Malia, who refused to be photographed, “shy, who has no self-confidence, who is ashamed. Now I can love myself”.

Nathalie, Malia, Lonisa and Fatima, participants in the local obesity program. • ©Cécile Rubichon / NC the 1st

She wants to show off her beauty”, laughs Lonisa, another participant. Both are housewives. A perfect job for getting moving and measuring your state of health. “Before, I was out of breath when I got to the 3rd floor. Now I can run to go”, observes Malia. Together, they decided that the stairs would be squats. The material, weights. And mop the floor, the opportunity to do some chasing steps. “We’re not crazy, we’re enjoying life!

And life changed, with POP. To a point”unimaginable“. Malia coached the whole family.”my husband does exercises with me in the evening. He prefers walking to the car. Our sex life is more fulfilled. Every weekend, we go for a walk, we leave the house, we see new things. And every month, we equip ourselves with sports equipment.“Last purchase to date: a punching bag for one of the two sons.

By choosing fruits and vegetables over prepared meals and packets of cakes, they saved money. “We can go on a trip together.“A first in seventeen years. Direction Tahiti, where Malia’s brother and sister live. She is sure of it:I will not become the Malia of before”.

The program officially ends this Thursday but “it will be easy to continue”. His weight just dropped to double digits. “It was not my priority. Above all, I wanted to relearn how to eat well, but this motivates me even more..” And then, she will be able to count on her husband, on the other participants, who have become friends, and on the medical and paramedical team of the southern province. Follow-ups will continue to be provided. For the benefit of patients and science. “This will allow us to understand the reasons for the failures, if there are any.”, explains Valérie Annel, program coordinator.

In any case, the experiment was successful: the program will be developed in Kaméré and Thio from the first week of July and a second session will be opened in Païta in August.

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