Weight Loss Associated With Employee Income in an Incentivized Employee Wellness Program. Issue 12 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fink, Jennifer T.; Rich, Jennifer; Smith, David R.; Singh, Maharaj; Sutton, Kelly; Mueller, George; Ihrke, Doug M.; Skalla, Jessica L.; Cisler, Ron A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 58:Issue 12(2016)
• Page Start: 1181
• Page End: 1184
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000893
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: We examined the relationship between the type of incentivized wellness program and employee weight loss and the effects of participant income. Methods: We retrospectively examined employees who participated in one of six weight loss wellness programs, which were categorized for the present analysis: reweigh/body mass index, Coaching, and Weight Watchers/Meal Replacement. Those who participated were eligible for a $350/year insurance premium discount. Results: Employees in the low-income category of $45K or less participated at a higher rate, however, did not lose as much weight as those participants in the higher income categories of $70K or more. We found a positive association with weight loss in two of the categories, reweigh/body mass index, and Weight Watchers/Meal Replacement programs. Conclusion: Wellness programs have a significant impact on employee weight loss, but this relationship may vary across the income level of participants.