title: Promoting weight loss and blood pressure control at work: impact of an education and intervention program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact of tailored intervention on body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) among hypertensive employees participating in an employer-based BP screening program.
  
  
  METHODS
  The quasi-experimental design involved screening subjects (n = 15,583) within the Merrill Lynch organization. A control group had BP and weight measurements plus education whereas experimental sites additionally received a pedometer, to measure physical activity, body fat measurement, and education encouraging physical activity. Change in BMI and BP were compared after 1 year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The experimental group (n = 47) demonstrated statistically significant improvements in BMI (P < 0.01) and systolic BP (P = 0.04) versus control group (n = 94). Furthermore, 38.3% of the experimental group reported undertaking vigorous physical activity (>or=3x/wk) at 1-year; a 100% increase compared with baseline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A targeted worksite intervention program may be an effective way to lower BP and promote exercise and weight loss.
authors.affiliation: World Financial Center, New York, NY 10080, USA.
authors.forename: Donald H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Gemson
authors.forename: Royanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Commisso
authors.forename: Jeanette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fuente
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss; D017132:Workplace