The popularity of drug-free "green prescriptions" is rising across Wanganui with more than 600 issued in the past 10 months.
Established in 1998, the green prescription programme is a health professional's written advice to a patient or their family to encourage and support them becoming more physically active as part of a total health plan.
The scheme encourages GPs to target medical conditions associated with inactivity, and has now been used by more than 80 per cent of family doctors nationwide.
Sport Wanganui green prescription area manager Debbie Byers said the initiative benefited patients with a range of conditions, most commonly diabetes, heart conditions and weight issues. The programme also benefited those suffering from depression and anxiety, she said.
"We try and get them started walking, just basically to get them up and moving."
Patients suffering from obesity also took part in walking groups, aqua aerobics, gym activities and group fitness classes, Ms Byers said.
Motivation was maintained through a regular support system.
"We contact the patient on a regular basis to see how they're going.
"How we try and help motivate them is to keep that contact going," Ms Byers said
The initiative was backed by local GPs and medical centres, Ms Byers said.
"All of the GPs in Wanganui are aware of green prescriptions and support it totally."
Health Minister Tony Ryall said more than 250,000 green prescriptions had been issued to Kiwi patients by their GP or practice nurse to encourage them to eat healthier, get active and improve their general health since the initiative began.
The "prescription" is forwarded to a provider, often a regional sports trust, which encourage the patient to become more active through phone calls, face-to-face meetings or support groups and provide information on local activities, such as aqua aerobics and walking groups.
"The internationally-recognised initiative has helped thousands of New Zealanders improve their health," Mr Ryall said.
A Ministry of Health survey of more than 3100 patients last year found that weight problems (56 per cent) were the most common reason patients were issued a prescription.
High blood pressure and risk of stroke was second at 29 per cent followed by high cholesterol.
Six to eight months after receiving their prescription, 55 per cent of patients were more active than they were before, 73 per cent noticed positive changes in their health and 65 per cent had made changes to their diet - 22 per cent by decreasing portion sizes.
The survey found walking was the most popular activity (68 per cent), followed by swimming (49 per cent), gym (46 per cent), water-based activities (39 per cent) and followed by community-based programmes (20 per cent).
Let's get physical:
Source: Ministry of Health