Employer-sponsored weight management programme a success
A lifestyle-based weight management program delivered to employees: examination of health and economic outcomes. Hughes CM, Girolami TM, Cheadle AD, Harris JR, Patrick DL. J Occup Environ Med. 2007. 49: 1212-1217.
Aim
To evaluate the health and economic outcomes associated with a company-lead weight management programme.
Looked at
516 US-based employees who participated in an employer-sponsored, lifestyle-based weight management programme (for either 26 or 52 weeks), all of whom had a body mass index of ≥27 kg/m2 with two or more health risk factors.
How?
Data for the 26-week and 52-week groups, and drug usage and health outcomes were compared at study start and study end.
Results
- The health-related outcomes did not differ between the 26-week and 52-week groups.
- Minutes of exercise per week increased from an average of 58 minutes to 236 minutes at study end, and average self-esteem score and depressive symptom score also improved significantly (moderate depression symptoms to less than mild symptoms).
- One year after finishing the programme, average weight loss was maintained in a subgroup of 46 individuals who were followed long term.
- The average number of prescription drugs taken per participant decreased by 44% over the study, an approximate decrease in annual drug costs of US$2,382 per individual.
What does this mean?
Comprehensive employer-sponsored lifestyle management programmes are an effective method for weight loss, improving self-esteem and depressive symptoms, and decreasing costs.