OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an employee Internet-based weight management program. METHODS: Changes in eating habits, stage of change, body weight, and weight categories were compared between enrollment and 6 months after enrollment. Weights and weight categories were compared among a subset of participants and non-participants at 12 months. RESULTS: Seven thousand seven hundred forty-three International Business Machines employees enrolled in the program between December 2004 and February 2006, and 74% were overweight or obese (body mass index > or =25). At 6 months, follow-up survey respondents (1639) had significantly increased most healthy eating habits (eg, 20% decrease in junk foods) and the frequency of healthy foods eaten (eg, 12% increase in fruits). The percentage of participants in the normal weight category had increased from 27.0% to 29.8%, while average weight decreased from 182.6 to 180.2 lbs (P < 0.05). Increased web site usage was associated with increased weight loss and stage of change improvements. At 12 months, a higher percentage of participants had moved into the normal weight category compared with the percentage of non-participants (+2.0% points; P < 0.05), although there were no differences in average weight change. CONCLUSIONS: Despite issues of limited penetration and potential self-selection, this Internet-based program had utility in reaching a large number of employees in dispersed work settings, and it led to improved eating habits and improved stage of change at 6 months and more individuals moving into the normal weight category at 6 and 12 months.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an employee Internet-based weight management program. METHODS: Changes in eating habits, stage of change, body weight, and weight categories were compared between enrollment and 6 months after enrollment. Weights and weight categories were compared among a subset of participants and non-participants at 12 months. RESULTS: Seven thousand seven hundred forty-three International Business Machines employees enrolled in the program between December 2004 and February 2006, and 74% were overweight or obese (body mass index > or =25). At 6 months, follow-up survey respondents (1639) had significantly increased most healthy eating habits (eg, 20% decrease in junk foods) and the frequency of healthy foods eaten (eg, 12% increase in fruits). The percentage of participants in the normal weight category had increased from 27.0% to 29.8%, while average weight decreased from 182.6 to 180.2 lbs (P < 0.05). Increased web site usage was associated with increased weight loss and stage of change improvements. At 12 months, a higher percentage of participants had moved into the normal weight category compared with the percentage of non-participants (+2.0% points; P < 0.05), although there were no differences in average weight change. CONCLUSIONS: Despite issues of limited penetration and potential self-selection, this Internet-based program had utility in reaching a large number of employees in dispersed work settings, and it led to improved eating habits and improved stage of change at 6 months and more individuals moving into the normal weight category at 6 and 12 months.
Authors: Anne N Thorndike; Lillian Sonnenberg; Erica Healey; Khinlei Myint-U; Joseph C Kvedar; Susan Regan Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2012-07 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: Lucas J Carr; Shira I Dunsiger; Beth Lewis; Joseph T Ciccolo; Sheri Hartman; Beth Bock; Gregory Dominick; Bess H Marcus Journal: Health Psychol Date: 2012-07-23 Impact factor: 4.267
Authors: L Susan Wieland; Louise Falzon; Chris N Sciamanna; Kimberlee J Trudeau; Suzanne Brodney; Joseph E Schwartz; Karina W Davidson Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2012-08-15
Authors: Catherine H Yu; Robinder Bahniwal; Andreas Laupacis; Eman Leung; Michael S Orr; Sharon E Straus Journal: J Am Med Inform Assoc Date: 2012-01-03 Impact factor: 4.497