Pragmatic Evaluation of a Health System-Based Employee Weight Management Program.

Meghan M Jaka,Joel Spoonheim,Rachael L Rivard,Jeanette Y Ziegenfuss,Stephen D Herrmann,Nicolaas P Pronk,Jennifer M Dinh

doi:10.3390/ijerph18115901

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the fidelity and estimate the effectiveness of a novel health system employee weight-management program. Methods: Employees participating in a weight loss program consisting of self-monitoring, health coaching and meal replacements optionally enrolled in the 12-month study. Longitudinal, single-arm analyses were conducted evaluating change over time via survey, claims and programmatic data. Token participation incentives were offered for survey completion. Results: In total, 140 participants enrolled (51.2 ± 9.8 years; BMI = 33.2 ± 6.5 kg/m2; 89.3% female). During 1 year, participants attended 18.0 ± 12.2 coaching appointments and self-reported significant improvements in weight (−8.2 ± 10.5% body weight), BMI (−3.9 ± 6.5 kg/m2), fruit/vegetable intake, home food preparation, added sugar, sugar sweetened beverages and life satisfaction (all p < 0.05). No significant changes were reported in physical activity, weight-related social support, self-efficacy or healthcare utilization (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: The findings from this evaluation establish implementation fidelity. Clinically significant self-reported weight loss, coupled with improvements in many weight-related behaviors, suggest the program is an effective weight management tool when offered as an employee well-being program.

Highlights

Overweight and obesity are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, which in turn have economic impacts related to medical care, productivity and costs in human capital [1]
With 150 participants and an estimated 25% loss to follow-up the study has 80% power to detect a clinically meaningful 5% reduction in body mass index (BMI) using a two-tailed paired t-test with an alpha of 0.05
This article presents the fidelity and outcomes of a pragmatic, multi-dimensional evaluation of Profile, a novel healthcare-designed behavioral weight management program that utilizes phone coaching, self-monitoring and meal replacements delivered in a worksite setting

Summary

Introduction

Overweight and obesity are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, which in turn have economic impacts related to medical care, productivity and costs in human capital [1]. Obesity has widely-documented impacts on well-being and role functioning; employees with obesity have 20% more doctor visits, incur $644 more (U.S. dollars) in medical care costs and are absent from work 3.7 more days per year than those without overweight or obesity [2,3]. Many health plans offer commercially available weight loss programs, to our knowledge, few evidence-based employee weight-loss programs have been developed and implemented in close coordination with the healthcare delivery system and insurers [8]. This type of collaboration has the potential to improve program design and

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Discussion

Conclusion