Overweight and Obesity Control at Worksites

Project Period: 9/30/2004 - 6/30/2011
Contact: Dr. Charlotte Pratt

This program supports seven randomized controlled trials taking place at worksites to test whether worksite environmental interventions in combination with individual-lifestyle behavior modifications can prevent or control overweight or obesity in adults. A total of 23,250 employees across the seven worksites {hospitals, schools (teachers), garages (bus drivers), hotels (hotel employees), and companies (manufacturing, transportation and personnel services)} are targeted.

The interventions emphasize combinations of worksite environmental 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 are BMI and change in body weight. Secondary outcome measures include energy and nutrient intakes, physical activity and fitness, worker productivity, changes in worksite policies, cost effectiveness, and health care utilization.

Last Updated March 2011