Abstract P377: Multicomponent Workplace Wellness Program Results in Weight Loss and Improved Cardiometabolic Indices

Abstract

Introduction: Workplace wellness programs offer opportunities for decreasing obesity in adults. The effectiveness of such programs varies and is influenced by key intervention components (e.g. duration, intensity, content). We developed a multicomponent workplace wellness program, MyWay to Health (MW2H), which was adapted from an evidence-based weight loss intervention with demonstrated efficacy and meets the 2013 Guideline for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in adults. The purpose of this one-group pretest-posttest study was to evaluate program acceptability and effectiveness of MW2H on primary and secondary outcomes. Hypotheses: We hypothesized that MW2H would result in 1) clinically meaningful weight loss of ≥5%, and 2) improvements in cardiometabolic indices. Methods: During weeks 1-26, participants met privately with an interventionist for up to 24 weekly, 40-minute sessions, receiving training in eating and physical activity behavior change, self-regulation, and socioenvironmental strategies. During weeks 27-52, participants received maintenance support through phone calls, email, or in-person visits. Our primary outcome was percent weight loss. Secondary outcomes included improvement in BMI, waist circumference, HbA1c, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Outcomes were compared at baseline and 26 weeks; body weight only was measured at 52 weeks. Wilcoxin Signed Rank Tests were used to examine outcomes. Results: Participants (N=154) were mostly female (85%), White (75%), had a median age of 50 (Interquartile Range (IQR): 17) years, a median baseline BMI of 34.7 (IQR: 8.8), a median household income of $70,000 (IQR: $50,000), and 54% had a college degree or higher. Median number of in-person sessions attended was 19 (IQR: 4.0). Percent weight loss at 26 weeks (median [IQR]: 7.5% [6.8%]) was clinically meaningful, with 71% of participants achieving ≥5% weight loss. Statistically significant improvements in BMI, waist circumference, HbA1c, HDL cholesterol, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p<0.001 for all) were observed. At week 52, body weight data were available for 106 (69%) participants. Median percent weight loss from baseline was 7.0% (IQR: 9.3%). Of participants who achieved ≥5% weight loss at week 26, 94% maintained this level of weight loss at week 52. Conclusions: The MW2H workplace wellness program was acceptable to participants, evidenced by high program attendance, and resulted in clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements in body weight and cardiometabolic indices. A majority of participants achieved ≥5% weight loss by 26 weeks, and nearly all participants for whom data was available maintained this level of weight loss at week 52. Additional research is needed to optimize intervention components, identify factors that contribute to weight maintenance, and examine MW2H effectiveness in a more diverse population.