Abstract
BackgroundWeight management constitutes a substantial problem particularly among groups of low socio-economic status. Interventions at work places may be a solution, but high quality worksite interventions documenting prolonged weight loss are lacking. This paper presents results of an intervention aimed to achieve a 12 months weight loss among overweight health care workers.MethodsNinety-eight overweight female health care workers were randomized into an intervention or a reference group. The intervention consisted of diet, physical exercise and cognitive behavioral training during working hours 1 hour/week. The reference group was offered monthly oral presentations. Several anthropometric measures, blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness, maximal muscle strength, and musculoskeletal pain were measured before and after the 12-months intervention period. Data were analyzed by intention-to-treat analysis.ResultsThe intervention group significantly reduced body weight by 6 kg (p < 0.001), BMI by 2.2 (p < 0.001) and body fat percentage by 2.8 (p < 0.001). There were no statistical reductions in the control group, resulting in significant differences between the two groups over time.ConclusionsThe intervention generated substantial reductions in body weight, BMI and body fat percentage among overweight female health care workers over 12 months. The positive results support the workplace as an efficient arena for weight loss among overweight females.Trial registrationNCT01015716.
Highlights
Weight management constitutes a substantial problem among groups of low socio-economic status
No differences between the intervention group and the reference group were found at baseline
Twelve months of intervention consisting of diet, physical exercise and cognitive behavioral training significantly decreased body weight, BMI, body fat percentage as well as hip and waist ratio compared to the reference group
Summary
Weight management constitutes a substantial problem among groups of low socio-economic status. Interventions at work places may be a solution, but high quality worksite interventions documenting prolonged weight loss are lacking. This paper presents results of an intervention aimed to achieve a 12 months weight loss among overweight health care workers. Female health care workers have a high prevalence of overweight and obesity [1]. Since excessive bodyweight comprises one of the largest health-related challenges in the western countries, effective initiatives for long-term weight management are needed. In a recent systematic review it was concluded that workplace interventions aiming at reducing body weight. Interventions aiming at weight loss have implemented elements like diet, physical exercise and cognitive behavioral approaches. Recent reviews have suggested an integration of these three elements for increasing the probability of weight loss with long-term maintenance [4,5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
