Improving employee health: evaluation of a worksite lifestyle change program to decrease risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether an evidence-based, behavioral lifestyle intervention program delivered at a worksite setting is effective in improving type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk factors.


METHODS
A randomized 6-month delayed control design was utilized, with two thirds of the participants assigned to begin intervention immediately, and one third beginning 6 months later. The year-long program (weekly for 3 months transitioning to monthly) focused on weight loss and increasing physical activity.


RESULTS
The immediate intervention group had greater mean weight loss (-10.4 lb, 5.1%, vs -2.3 lb, 1%; P = 0.0001) than the delayed control group at 6 months and relatively greater improvements in activity, HbA1c, and other risk factors. The delayed group experienced similar improvements after completing the intervention program.


CONCLUSIONS
A worksite behavioral lifestyle intervention is feasible and effective in significantly improving risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
From the Department of Epidemiology (Drs Kramer, Kriska, and Vanderwood, Ms Meehan, Ms Miller, and Ms Eaglehouse), University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pa; Department of Medicine (Dr Molenaar), Veterans Health Administration, Minneapolis, Minn; Department of Biostatistics (Dr Arena), University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health; and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (Dr Venditti), Pittsburgh, Pa.
M Kaye
MK
Kramer
Donald M
DM
Molenaar
Vincent C
VC
Arena
Elizabeth M
EM
Venditti
Rebecca J
RJ
Meehan
Rachel G
RG
Miller
Karl K
KK
Vanderwood
Yvonne
Y
Eaglehouse
Andrea M
AM
Kriska
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015444:Exercise; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D015431:Weight Loss; D017132:Workplace