title: Efficacy of a workplace-based weight loss program for overweight male shift workers: the Workplace POWER (Preventing Obesity Without Eating like a Rabbit) randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a workplace-based weight loss program (Workplace POWER-WP) for male shift workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, two-armed randomized controlled trial of 110 overweight/obese (BMI 25-40) (mean [SD] age = 44.4 [8.6] years; BMI = 30.5 [3.6]) male employees at Tomago Aluminium aged 18-65. In October (2009) men were randomized to either (i) WP program (n=65) or (ii) a 14-week wait-list control group (n=45). The 3-month program involved one information session, program booklets, group-based financial incentives and an online component. Men were assessed at baseline and at 14-week follow-up for weight (primary outcome), waist circumference, BMI, blood pressure, resting heart rate, self-reported physical activity and dietary variables, and physical activity and dietary cognitions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intention-to-treat analysis using linear mixed models revealed significant between group differences for weight loss after 14 weeks (P < .001, Cohen's d = 0.34). Significant intervention effects were also found for waist circumference (P < .001, d = 0.63), BMI (P < .001, d = 0.41), systolic blood pressure (P = .02, d = 0.48), resting heart rate (P < .001, d = 0.81), physical activity (P = .03, d = 0.77), sweetened beverages (P < .02, d = 0.5-0.6) and physical activity-related cognitions (P < .02, d=0.6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The WP program was feasible and efficacious and resulted in significant weight loss and improved health-related outcomes and behaviours in overweight male shift workers.
authors.affiliation: School of Education, Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia. Philip.Morgan@newcastle.edu.au
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Clare E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Ronald C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Plotnikoff
authors.forename: Alyce T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Bronwyn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Berthon
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Callister
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult