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Published on: November 19, 2015
Promoting changes in obesogenic behaviors: does coworker social support play a role?
Purpose:
To examine the association between worksite social support and changes in diet, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI).
Design:
Cohort analysis of an underlying randomized, controlled weight gain prevention worksite trial: Promoting Activity and Changes in Eating.
Setting:
The trial occurred in the greater Seattle area.
Subjects:
Baseline and follow-up data were obtained on a nested cohort of employees (n = 958-1078) from 33 small- to medium-sized worksites.
Measures:
Worksite social support, diet, physical activity, and BMI measures were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire.
Analysis:
To adjust for multilevel data and multiple time points, we used generalized estimating equations and logistic mixed models.
Results:
Higher baseline worksite social support was associated with greater changes in fruit and vegetable intake (p = .001; summary food-frequency questions).
Conclusion:
This study does not support a conclusive relationship between worksite social support and health behavior change.
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