Lecturer and health psychologist Dr Mirella Di Benedetto and a team of researchers at the University of Ballarat will recruit anyone with Type 2 diabetes, angina, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a recent heart attack, stent, angioplasty or bypass surgery.

Dr Di Benedetto said people who fitted the criteria and wanted help losing weight, increasing exercise, improving diet or quitting smoking could apply.

The study has received clearance from the University of Ballarat Human Research Ethics Committee.

"Healthier lifestyle behaviours such as maintaining optimal weight, increased physical activity, healthier eating patterns, and quitting smoking can have positive physical as well as psychological health benefits," she said.

"Despite this widespread knowledge most Australians struggle to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviours. A key reason for this is that lifestyle behaviour change can be difficult."

"Very few behaviour change programs have incorporated key behaviour change elements such as motivation, self-confidence and identifying barriers to change.

"Further, few studies have examined the complex processes that individuals need to undergo to make behaviour changes to adopt healthier lifestyles, nor examined the effects that lifestyle behaviour change can have on mood or resilience."

Details: Dr Mirella Di Benedetto on 5327 9744 or m.dibenedetto@ballarat.edu.au