A worksite obesity intervention: results from a group-randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
We used a participatory process to develop an obesity intervention appropriate for elementary school personnel.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial included 16 school worksites (8 intervention, 8 control). Intervention schools formed committees to develop and implement health promotion activities for employees. Anthropometric and self-report data were collected at baseline and postintervention (2 years later). The primary outcome measures were body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption.


RESULTS
After adjustment for age, ethnicity, and job classification, employees in intervention schools reduced their BMI by an average of 0.04 kg/m2, and those in control schools increased their BMI by an average of 0.37 kg/m2. Comparisons for waist-hip ratio, weekly physical activity minutes, and fruit and vegetable consumption were not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
The participatory process appeared to be an effective means for stimulating change. The intervention may have slowed and perhaps reversed the tendency of adults to gain weight progressively with age.
Siegel
Judith M
JM
Department of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Box 95-1772, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, USA. jmsiegel@ucla.edu
Prelip
Michael L
ML
Erausquin
Jennifer Toller
JT
Kim
Sonia A
SA
D000328:Adult; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D012574:Schools; D055105:Waist Circumference; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio