A lifestyle-based weight management program delivered to employees: examination of health and economic outcomes.
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.
Hughes
M Courtney
MC
Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. mchughes@u.washington.edu
Girolami
Teresa M
TM
Cheadle
Allen D
AD
Harris
Jeffrey R
JR
Patrick
Donald L
DL
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