title: The association between worksite social support, diet, physical activity and body mass index.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Social support may be associated with improved diet and physical activity-determinants of overweight and obesity. Wellness programs increasingly target worksites. The aim was to evaluate the relationship between worksite social support and dietary behaviors, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline data were obtained on 2878 employees from 2005 to 2007 from 34 worksites through Promoting Activity and Changes in Eating, a group-randomized weight reduction intervention in Greater Seattle. Worksite social support, diet, physical activity, and BMI were assessed via self-reported questionnaire. Principal component analysis was applied to workgroup questions. To adjust for design effects, random effects models were employed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No associations were found with worksite social support and BMI, or with many obesogenic behaviors. However, individuals with higher worksite social support had 14.3% higher (95% CI: 5.6%-23.7%) mean physical activity score and 4% higher (95% CI: 1%-7%) mean fruit and vegetable intake compared to individuals with one-unit lower support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings do not support a conclusive relationship between higher worksite social support and obesogenic behaviors, with the exception of physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake. Future studies are needed to confirm these relationships and evaluate how worksite social support impacts trial outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, 67 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. sara_tamers@dfci.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Sara L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Tamers
authors.forename: Shirley A A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Beresford
authors.forename: Allen D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Cheadle
authors.forename: Yingye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Sonia K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.forename: Beti
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables; D014861:Washington; D015431:Weight Loss; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*