178876 Obesity prevention and control in the worksite: What works?

Wednesday, October 29, 2008: 10:30 AM

Marilyn C. Batan, MPH , Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Atlanta, GA
W. Roodly Archer, PhD , The Ginn Group, STEPS Program, CDC, Atlanta, GA
Leigh Ramsey Buchanan, PhD , Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, CDC, Atlanta, GA
Robin E. Soler, PhD , National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
David Ramsey, MPH, CHES , Division of Partnerships and Strategic Alliances, CDC, Atlanta, GA
Michele Reyes, PhD , Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, CDC, Atlanta, GA
Background: Obesity affects nearly 60 million adults in the United States. Obesity is linked to many co-morbid conditions resulting in increased health care costs. It is estimated that employers spend $13 billion annually on the total cost of obesity. To help employers respond to this epidemic, we identified promising worksite strategies for obesity prevention and control.

Methods: Using a methodology that closely parallels and broadens the Community Guide review process; we conducted a systematic review to identify worksite interventions addressing environmental and policy, informational and educational, and behavioral strategies. Our review included studies such as randomized control trials, before and after, time series, and other designs with concurrent comparison groups. Studies were evaluated based on suitability of study design, quality of execution, sample size, and effect size. Changes in weight-related outcomes were used to assess effectiveness.

Results: Six promising strategies were identified: 1) enhanced access to physical activity with health education: -3.24% (n=5 studies) 2) exercise prescription alone: -2.45% (n=14 studies) 3) multi-component educational interventions which incorporated exercise prescriptions, nutrition prescriptions, and/or small media in addition to health education sessions: -2.24% (n=25 studies) 4) weight-loss competitions: -2.66% (n=17 studies) 5) behavioral strategies with incentives: -3.46% (n=17 studies) 6) behavioral strategies without incentive: -1.89% (n=46 studies)

Conclusion: These promising strategies can help employers build effective interventions for their employees. Our review allows us to identify research gaps and acknowledges the need for further evaluation of promising worksite strategies for obesity prevention and control.

Learning Objectives:
1)Discuss ways employers can respond to the obesity epidemic 2)Discuss the establishment of a scientific foundation for what works 3)Discuss the effectiveness of worksite health promotion programs

Keywords: Worksite, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I compiled, analyzed, and reviewed all findings found in this review.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.