title: A lifestyle-based weight management program delivered to employees: examination of health and economic outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the health and economic outcomes associated with a comprehensive weight management program delivered to employees.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data collected on 516 individuals participating in a lifestyle-based weight management program delivered to employees from three corporations were analyzed at baseline and intervention-end (26 or 52 weeks). One-year post-intervention data for two subgroups were examined for pharmaceutical use (n = 61) and health outcomes (n = 46).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average body weight decreased 5.4% (P < 0.001) and average waist circumference decreased 7.2% (P < 0.001). Average blood pressure, Beck Depression Inventory scores, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale scores improved (P < 0.001). At 1-year post-intervention, weight loss was maintained in a subgroup of 46 individuals. The average number of prescription drugs taken per participant decreased 44% in a subgroup of 61 individuals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An employer-sponsored, comprehensive weight management program may decrease weight, improve obesity-related outcomes, improve depressive symptoms, and decrease costs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. mchughes@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: M Courtney
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Teresa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Girolami
authors.forename: Allen D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Cheadle
authors.forename: Jeffrey R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Donald L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Patrick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D015431:Weight Loss