{"id":35363,"date":"2025-03-27T15:58:52","date_gmt":"2025-03-27T02:58:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.myfoodbag.co.nz\/explore\/?p=35363"},"modified":"2025-03-27T15:58:54","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T02:58:54","slug":"why-you-should-be-proactive-about-your-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myfoodbag.co.nz\/explore\/2025\/03\/27\/why-you-should-be-proactive-about-your-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Why you should be proactive about your health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Q&A with Dr. Mataroria Lyndon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many Kiwis tend to put off regular health check-ups until symptoms become severe, creating a reactive rather than proactive approach to wellbeing.  Prioritising prevention and staying on top of our health can significantly improve our collective wellbeing and ease the growing strain on our healthcare system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At Fresh Start, we believe good nutrition is just one part of overall well-being. This month, we’re focusing on how to take charge of your health before problems arise. We sat down with Dr. Mataroria Lyndon from Tend, a modern healthcare provider revolutionising how Kiwis access medical care, to discuss the importance of “proactive health” and what this means for you and your wh\u0101nau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q: Dr. Lyndon, we often hear the term “proactive health” – what exactly does this mean<\/strong>?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProactive health is about taking preventative measures to maintain and improve your health before illness or disease develops. It’s a shift from the traditional reactive approach of only seeking medical care when you’re already sick. Think of it like maintaining your car – you wouldn’t wait for the engine to fail before getting a service. The same principle applies to your body.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Why is being proactive about health so important for Kiwis specifically?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNew Zealand has a health system that\u2019s under increasing pressure. Our population is growing, aging, and facing rising rates of preventable conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. When too many people wait until they’re seriously ill before seeking help, it creates bottlenecks in the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being proactive not only benefits your personal health but also contributes to a more sustainable healthcare system for everyone. Many serious health conditions that we see could have been prevented or managed more effectively if caught earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What are some key components of a proactive health approach?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are several essential elements that we recommend and provide at Tend:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regular check-ups:<\/strong> Even when you feel fine, annual visits with your GP are important. These appointments allow your care team to monitor your health over time and catch any concerns early. We often recommend doing this checkup around your birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comprehensive health assessments:<\/strong> Depending on your age and risk factors, you might benefit from a more detailed health assessment that looks at various aspects of your physical and mental wellbeing. We offer Proactive Health Medicals<\/a> which dive into a lot more detail and give you a complete picture of what is happening on the inside. This is then all shared via our app to help you track your health journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preventative screenings:<\/strong> These include things like cervical smears, mammograms, prostate checks, skin cancer screenings, and bowel cancer screenings. Our care team helps determine which tests are appropriate for you based on your age, gender, family history, and other risk factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vaccinations:<\/strong> Staying up-to-date with recommended vaccines like the annual flu shot, COVID-19 boosters, HPV, childhood immunisations and others appropriate for your age group. Flu vaccines are available from 1st April, and anyone is welcome to book these via the Tend app or simply walk-in to our clinic and get one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key health metrics monitoring:<\/strong> Regular checks of blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and body composition can identify trends earlier before they become problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q: How can busy wh\u0101nau\/families incorporate proactive health practices into their routines?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI understand that life gets hectic, especially for wh\u0101nau. Here are some practical tips we recommend:<\/p>\n\n\n\n