Implementation of an Internet Weight Loss Program in a Worksite Setting.

Kathryn M Ross,Rena R Wing

doi:10.1155/2016/9372515

Kathryn M Ross, Rena R Wing

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9372515

Copy DOI

Abstract

Background. Worksite wellness programs typically produce modest weight losses. We examined whether an efficacious Internet behavioral weight loss program could be successfully implemented in a worksite setting. Methods. Participants were 75 overweight or obese employees/dependents of a large healthcare system who were given access to a 12-week Internet-based, multicomponent behavioral weight loss program. Assessments occurred at baseline, Month 3 (end of intervention), and Month 6 (follow-up). Results. Retention was excellent (93% at Month 3 and 89% at Month 6). Intent-to-treat analyses demonstrated that participants lost an average (±SE) of −5.8 ± .60 kg from baseline to Month 3 and regained 1.1 ± .31 kg from Month 3 to Month 6; overall, weight loss from baseline to Month 6 was −4.7 ± .71 kg, p < .001. Men lost more weight than women, p = .022, and individuals who had a college degree or higher lost more weight than those with less education, p = .005. Adherence to viewing lessons (8 of 12) and self-monitoring (83% of days) was excellent and significantly associated with weight loss, ps < .05. Conclusions. An Internet-based behavioral weight management intervention can be successfully implemented in a worksite setting and can lead to clinically significant weight losses. Given the low costs of offering this program, it could easily be widely disseminated.

Highlights

With two-thirds of the United States population considered overweight or obese [1], there is a need for effective weight loss interventions that can be widely disseminated at minimal cost
More recent research has demonstrated that integrating additional treatment components demonstrates promise for improving the efficacy of Internet-based behavioral weight management programs [4,5,6]
Two recent studies investigating the use of a 12-week Internet-based behavioral weight loss program with small financial incentives [5] and secondarily in a primary care setting [7] demonstrated weight losses of 6.4% and 5.8% of baseline weight at immediate posttest (3 months), respectively, with maintenance of these weight losses at 6 months

Summary

Introduction

With two-thirds of the United States population considered overweight or obese [1], there is a need for effective weight loss interventions that can be widely disseminated at minimal cost. Traditional behavioral weight loss programs, which typically include weekly or biweekly in-person or groupbased meetings with a trained interventionist, are effective in helping obese and overweight individuals lose weight [2], but the reach of these programs is often limited due to high cost and time burden for both providers and participants. Research on Internet-based weight management programs, demonstrated weight losses that were inconsistent and smaller than those typically observed in traditional face-to-face behavioral interventions [3]. We examined whether an efficacious Internet behavioral weight loss program could be successfully implemented in a worksite setting. Participants were 75 overweight or obese employees/dependents of a large healthcare system who were given access to a 12-week Internet-based, multicomponent behavioral weight loss program. Given the low costs of offering this program, it could be widely disseminated

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion