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Cited by 623Workplace Health and Well-beingObesity, Physical Activity, DietPhysical Activity and Health

The Effectiveness of Worksite Nutrition and Physical Activity Interventions for Controlling Employee Overweight and Obesity

Anderson, Laurie M., Quinn, Toby A., Glanz, Karen, Ramirez, Gilbert, Kahwati, Leila C., Johnson, Donna B., Buchanan, Leigh Ramsey, Archer, W. Roodly +3 more·2009·American Journal of Preventive Medicine
DOI 10.1016/j.amepre.2009.07.003
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Abstract

This report presents the results of a systematic review of the effectiveness of worksite nutrition and physical activity programs to promote healthy weight among employees. These results form the basis for the recommendation by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services on the use of these interventions. Weight-related outcomes, including weight in pounds or kilograms, BMI, and percentage body fat were used to assess effectiveness of these programs. This review found that worksite nutrition and physical activity programs achieve modest improvements in employee weight status at the 6-12-month follow-up. A pooled effect estimate of -2.8 pounds (95% CI=-4.6, -1.0) was found based on nine RCTs, and a decrease in BMI of -0.5 (95% CI=-0.8, -0.2) was found based on six RCTs. The findings appear to be applicable to both male and female employees, across a range of worksite settings. Most of the studies combined informational and behavioral strategies to influence diet and physical activity; fewer studies modified the work environment (e.g., cafeteria, exercise facilities) to promote healthy choices. Information about other effects, barriers to implementation, cost and cost effectiveness of interventions, and research gaps are also presented in this article. The findings of this systematic review can help inform decisions of employers, planners, researchers, and other public health decision makers.

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  • Worksite dietary and/or physical activity interventions demonstrated improvements in adiposity measures, including pooled reductions in weight of 1.26 kg (95% CI, −4.6, −1.0) and in BMI of 0.5 kg/m2 (95% CI, −0.8, −0.2) in one meta-analysis.

    “Such worksite dietary and/or physical activity interventions also demonstrated improvements in adiposity measures,267,268 eg, pooled reductions in weight of 1.26 kg (95% confidence interval [CI], −4.6, −1.0) and in BMI of 0.5 kg/m2 (95% CI, −0.8, −0.2) in 1 meta-analysis.”

    From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [267]

  • Combination of labeling or other prompts together with additional environmental changes, such as types and locations of foods and beverages served, positively affected purchasing behaviors at worksites.

    “In contrast, the combination of such labeling or other prompts together with additional environmental changes, such as types and locations of foods and beverages served, positively affected purchasing behaviors at worksites.”

    From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [267]

  • Overall, studies suggested that use of worksite cafeteria or vending machine labels or icons alone had little effect on improving diet, consistent with findings for labeling and consumer information approaches in other settings.

    “Overall, these studies suggested that use of worksite cafeteria or vending machine labels or icons alone had little effect on improving diet, consistent with findings for labeling and consumer information approaches in other settings (Table 4).”

    From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [267]

  • A systematic review of randomized controlled trials on worksite wellness programs demonstrated a statistically significant 3-lb weight reduction and 0.5 kg/m2 BMI reduction over 6 to 12 months.

    “A systematic review of randomized controlled trials on worksite wellness programs demonstrated a statistically significant 3-lb weight reduction and 0.5 kg/m 2 BMI reduction over 6 to 12 months (81).”

    From The CardioMetabolic Health Alliance (2015) · cites this paper as [81]

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Authors
Anderson, L. M., Quinn, T. A., Glanz, K., Ramirez, G., Kahwati, L. C., Johnson, D. B., Buchanan, L. R., Archer, W. R., Chattopadhyay, S., Kalra, G. P., & Katz, D. L.
Affiliations
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US)
  • Emory University (US)
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs (US)
  • University of Washington (US)
  • Yale University (US)
Corresponding author
Anderson, Laurie M.
ORCID
Venue
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2009-10
Volume
37
Issue
4
Pages
340-357
ISSN
0749-3797 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.amepre.2009.07.003
OpenAlex
W2165463105
Cited by
623
References
98
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 79 · 2019: 38 · 2018: 46 · 2017: 41 · 2016: 48 · 2015: 49 · 2014: 55 · 2013: 56 · 2012: 41
FWCI
6.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • American Journal of Preventive Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Workplace Health and Well-being
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
Keywords
nutrition programs, physical activity programs, obesity prevention, weight status, body mass index, body fat percentage, workplace health promotion, employer-sponsored programs, cost-effectiveness
MeSH terms
Adult, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Female, Health Promotion, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Physical Education and Training, Weight Loss, Body Mass Index, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Workplace, Overweight, Nutritional Sciences, Young Adult

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