Workplace weight loss program; comparing live and internet methods.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of the 12-week workplace intervention (WIP) on energy intake, weight, physical activity (PA) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and the effect of delivery method on outcomes.

METHODS

A prospective clinical trial of a 12-week WIP comparing In-person and Internet-based delivery. All subjects received identical intervention with dietitian visits at baseline and weeks 6, 12 and 26. Subjects included overweight/obese academic health science center employees. Changes in weight, PA and CVD-risk were primary outcomes.

RESULTS

There was no significant treatment effect repeated-measure-ANOVA. Within subjects, significant main effects indicating improvement were noted at week-12 in weight, WC, body-fat, HRQOL and energy intake and at week-26 in weight, WC, body-fat, HRQOL, energy intake and systolic and diastolic BP.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvements in some outcomes following a 12-week WIP were independent of delivery method.