Impact of an education intervention using email for the prevention of weight gain among adult workers. Issue 7 (20th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jaime, Patricia Constante; Bandoni, Daniel Henrique; Sarno, Flávio
• Is Part Of: Public health nutrition. Volume 17:Issue 7(2014)
• Page Start: 1620
• Page End: 1627
• Publication Date: 2013-08-20
• Subjects: Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition policy -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1017/S1368980013001936
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-9800

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="abs1" sec-type="general"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To evaluate the impact of a worksite intervention to prevent weight gain among adult workers.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs2" sec-type="general"> <title>Design</title> <p>A controlled community trial was performed by dividing the workers into two groups: intervention group (IG) and control group (CG). The theoretical framework applied was Intervention Mapping Protocol and the intervention was implemented through interactive software for weight self-monitoring. To evaluate the impact of the intervention, the differences in weight, BMI and waist circumference between the IG and CG were assessed before and 6 months after the intervention by regression models. Additionally, the sustainability of the intervention was evaluated at 12 months after the intervention.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs3" sec-type="general"> <title>Settings</title> <p>São Paulo, Brazil.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs4" sec-type="subjects"> <title>Subjects</title> <p>Four companies; 281 workers for the analysis of effectiveness and 427 for the analysis of sustainability.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs5" sec-type="results"> <title>Results</title> <p>The intervention resulted in significant reductions in weight, BMI and waist circumference in the IG compared with the CG. The impact of the intervention on IG individuals' body weight was −0·73 kg, while the weight of CG individuals increased. IG individuals with adequate initial weights did not show significant variations, while those who were overweight demonstrated a significant reduction in body weight. The intervention resulted in a reduction of 0·26 kg/m<sup>2</sup> in BMI and 0·99 cm in waist circumference, and the sustainability analysis after 12 months showed a continued reduction in body weight (−0·72 kg).</p> </sec> <sec id="abs6" sec-type="conclusion"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The behavioural intervention was effective, resulting in weight maintenance among participants with adequate initial weight and in significant reductions among those who were overweight. More research on longer-term weight maintenance is needed.</p> </sec> </abstract>