title: Effectiveness of Workplace Weight Management Interventions: a Systematic Review.
abstract: A systematic review was conducted of randomized trials of workplace weight management interventions, including trials with dietary, physical activity, environmental, behavioral, and incentive-based components. Main outcomes were defined as change in weight-related measures. Keywords related to weight management and workplace interventions were used to search relevant databases, and 23 eligible studies were reviewed in detail using a data extraction form and quality assessment checklist. The trials were conducted mainly in the USA and Europe, with four additional countries represented. Interventions were mostly multicomponent and were implemented in both sexes and in a range of employment categories. Intervention effectiveness appeared unrelated to region of the world and was highest in 6-12-month trials. The results ranged widely from clinically significant 8.8-kg weight loss in one trial to less effective than the control treatment in others. Some workplace interventions achieve clinically significant benefits, and further studies are needed to replicate those results in wider sociocultural and geographical contexts.
authors.affiliation: Obesity and Energetics Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Yasoma Kumari
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Weerasekara
authors.affiliation: Obesity and Energetics Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Susan B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Obesity and Energetics Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Mira A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.affiliation: Hirsh Health Sciences Library, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Amy E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: LaVertu
authors.affiliation: General Electric Medical Services, GE, Chicago, IL, USA.|University of Texas School of Public Health, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.affiliation: Obesity and Energetics Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02111, USA. Sai.Das@tufts.edu.
authors.forename: Sai Krupa
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Das
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005060:Europe; D015444:Exercise; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011050:Policy Making; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss; D017132:Workplace
keywords: Obesity; Overweight; Randomized trials; Weight loss; Weight management