Effectiveness of employee internet-based weight management program.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate an employee Internet-based weight management program.


METHODS
Changes in eating habits, stage of change, body weight, and weight categories were compared between enrollment and 6 months after enrollment. Weights and weight categories were compared among a subset of participants and non-participants at 12 months.


RESULTS
Seven thousand seven hundred forty-three International Business Machines employees enrolled in the program between December 2004 and February 2006, and 74% were overweight or obese (body mass index > or =25). At 6 months, follow-up survey respondents (1639) had significantly increased most healthy eating habits (eg, 20% decrease in junk foods) and the frequency of healthy foods eaten (eg, 12% increase in fruits). The percentage of participants in the normal weight category had increased from 27.0% to 29.8%, while average weight decreased from 182.6 to 180.2 lbs (P < 0.05). Increased web site usage was associated with increased weight loss and stage of change improvements. At 12 months, a higher percentage of participants had moved into the normal weight category compared with the percentage of non-participants (+2.0% points; P < 0.05), although there were no differences in average weight change.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite issues of limited penetration and potential self-selection, this Internet-based program had utility in reaching a large number of employees in dispersed work settings, and it led to improved eating habits and improved stage of change at 6 months and more individuals moving into the normal weight category at 6 and 12 months.
Petersen
Ruth
R
Analysts International and UNC School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Sill
Stewart
S
Lu
Chifung
C
Young
Joyce
J
Edington
Dee W
DW
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D050177:Overweight / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D015431:Weight Loss