title: Short-term and long-term weight management results of a large employer-sponsored wellness program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the weight management results of Healthy Incentives, an employer-sponsored wellness program started in 2006 by King County, Washington.
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in body mass index (BMI) and the percentages of those who lost 5% and 10% were compared for first-year participants, 5-year participants, and respondents to the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 19,559 first-year participants lost weight on average, while the comparative MEPS sample gained weight, -0.80% versus 0.31% (P < 0.01). A total of 10,432 5-year participants also lost weight on average but not as much as during the first year, -0.47% versus -0.80% (P = 0.01). More obese first-year participants lost 5% of BMI than the MEPS sample, 28.5% versus 23.2% (P < 0.01). Thirty eight percent of obese 5-year participants lost 5%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healthy Incentives achieved significant weight management benefits for both first-year and 5-year participants.
authors: Economic Analysis Section, Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget, Office of the King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle, Washington 98104, USA. john.scoggins@kingcounty.gov
authors: John F
authors: JF
authors: Scoggins
authors: Karleen N
authors: KN
authors: Sakumoto
authors: Kerry S
authors: KS
authors: Schaefer
authors: Brooke
authors: B
authors: Bascom
authors: Donald J
authors: DJ
authors: Robbins
authors: Caroline L
authors: CL
authors: Whalen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult