Combining environmental and individual weight management interventions in a work setting: results from the Dow chemical study.

Abstract

To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of environmental weight loss interventions alone versus in combination with an individual intervention. A quasi-experimental design compared outcomes for two levels of environmental interventions and for participants who did or did not simultaneously self-select into an individually focused weight loss intervention (YW8). Analysis of covariance and logistic regression techniques were used to examine risk outcomes. Employees who participated in YW8 were no more successful at losing weight than those exposed to only the environmental interventions. Approximately, 13.5% of each group lost at least 5% of their body weight; overall changes in mean body weight and body mass index were negligible in both groups. Simple worksite environmental modifications may help with weight maintenance, but are not likely to result in substantial weight reductions even when combined with low-intensity individual interventions.