The impact of a worksite weight management program on obesity: a retrospective analysis

The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of a worksite weight management program on the reduction of weight and lipid levels in employees and their dependents. This retrospective study examined the impact of a one-on-one worksite weight management program. Patients with a body mass index (BMI)>30, or a BMI>25 and 2 or more risk factors were eligible for inclusion. Laboratory and biometric readings at study end were compared to those at baseline. In addition, the percentage change of patients reaching recommended guideline levels was reported. Of the 310 employees enrolled, 157 completed the program (50.6%) with an average weight loss of 5.6%. Improvement was realized for pre-post weight (-6.0 lbs.; P≤.0001), BMI (-0.9; P≤.0001), blood pressure (systolic: -2.6; P≤.0001; diastolic: -1.9; P≤.0001), total cholesterol (-5.9; P=.0485), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL; -4.7; P=.0004), and triglycerides (-7.6; P=.0060). The proportion moving to within guideline levels increased for the following metrics: normal BMI category (2.6%; P=.0060),<30 BMI (10%; P≤.0001), systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings (7.7%; P=.0011 and 6.1; P=.0056, respectively), total cholesterol (6.5%; P=.0020), LDL (3.9%; P=.0396), and triglycerides (4.8; P=.0137). Retention in the worksite program was almost twice that seen in some commercial weight loss programs and significant improvements in laboratory and biometric readings were achieved. This study suggests that employer worksite-based programs may have an important role in improving the health of an employee population, which is of particular interest given the high prevalence of obesity and its attendant costs.