Promoting weight loss and blood pressure control at work: impact of an education and intervention program.
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.
Gemson
Donald H
DH
World Financial Center, New York, NY 10080, USA.
Commisso
Royanna
R
Fuente
Jeanette
J
Newman
Jane
J
Benson
Steve
S
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