Overweight and Obesity Control at Worksites

Project Period: 9/30/2004 - 6/30/2012
Contact: Dr. Charlotte Pratt

This program supported seven randomized controlled trials at worksites to test whether worksite environmental and policy interventions in combination with individual-lifestyle behavior modifications can prevent or control overweight or obesity in adults. A total of 23,250 employees in seven worksites across the United States [hospitals, schools (teachers), garages (bus drivers), hotels (hotel employees), and companies (manufacturing, transportation and personnel services)] participated in the interventions.

The interventions emphasized combinations of worksite environmental and policy changes (e.g., fitness equipment, flex time for physical activity, changes in cafeteria and vending machine food offerings, and employee wellness counselors), and individual or family approaches (e.g., on-site diet and physical activity counseling) to obesity prevention. The primary outcome measures were BMI and change in body weight. Secondary outcome measures included energy and nutrient intakes, physical activity and fitness, worker productivity, changes in worksite policies, cost effectiveness, and health care utilization.

Selected References:

Goetzel RZ et al., Second-Year Results of an Obesity Prevention Program at The Dow Chemical Company. J Occup Environ Med. 2010 March ; 52(3): 291–302.

French SA et al., Worksite environment intervention to prevent obesity among metropolitan transit workers. Preventive Medicine 2010;50:180–185. Lemon SC et al., Step Ahead: A Worksite Obesity Prevention Trial Among Hospital Employees. Am J Prev Med 2010;38(1):27–38)

Last Updated February 2013