The Efficacy of Re-Engaging in an Employer Sponsored Weight Loss Program.

Abstract

To examine the clinical benefit of re-engaging in a corporate weight loss program. Participants (N = 9885, 72% women) from two large employers. The primary outcome was percent weight change (mean, 95% confidence interval [CI]) across two identical courses using a general linear model analysis. Secondary and tertiary outcomes included the use of financial incentives and those re-engaging in the course between 330 and 450 days, respectively. We observed no significant effect for financial incentives. The entire cohort exhibited: significant weight loss after Course 1 (-4.93%, 95% CI, -5.04, -4.81), weight regain between Course 1 and Course 2, weight loss after Course 2 (-2.30%, 95% CI, -2.40, -2.23), resulting in significant net weight loss (-4.55%, 95% CI, -4.74, -4.36) that was consistent for both sexes. There is clinically beneficial benefit (≥ 3%) to re-engaging in a corporate weight loss program when re-engagement occurs approximately 1 year later.