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Effectiveness of a Workplace Health Promotion Program in Reducing Obesity: A Retrospective Study
Luis Reinoso-Barbero1, Pilar Muñoz-Dueñas, Inmaculada Cano
1From the Occupational Medicine Service, Grupo Banco Santander, Madrid, Spain (L.R.-B., L.G.-P., J.M.-G., C.P.-H.); UNIR Health Science Department, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Logroñio, Spain (L.R.-B.); Faculty of Commerce. Universidad de Vigo, Galicia, Spain (P.M.-D.); Occupational Medicine Service, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Spain (I.C.); Occupational Medicine Service. Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain (S.A.); and Health Science Department, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain (F.G.-G.).
Objective:
This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a workplace health promotion program targeting obesity.
Methods:
Weight loss, body mass index (BMI), and abdominal circumference were measured before and after the program during medical check-ups at a single workplace.Thirty-six employees (BMI ≥30 kg/m 2 ) received 6 months of free telemedicine endocrinology consultations. This metrics were compared with 164 workers (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) using the Student t test and odds ratio.
Results:
Participants lost more weight (1.98 kg on average vs 0.11 kg), OR: 1.5 (0.72-3.12), BMI (0.84 kg/m 2 vs 0.03 kg/m 2 ), OR: 2.16 (0.99-4.68), and abdominal circumference (1.06 cm vs 0.55 cm), OR: 1.07 (0.51-2.25) than nonparticipants.
Conclusions:
The program was slightly more effective than standard verbal and written medical advice given during check-ups. Studies with bigger sample sizes are needed to support these findings.
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