Implementation of an Internet Weight Loss Program in a Worksite Setting

Background: Worksite wellness programs typically produce modest weight losses. We examined whether an efficacious Internet behavioral weight loss program could be successfully implemented in a worksite setting.

Methods: Participants were 75 overweight or obese employees/dependents of a large healthcare system who were given access to a 12-week Internet-based, multicomponent behavioral weight loss program. Assessments occurred at baseline, Month 3 (end of intervention), and Month 6 (follow-up).

Results: Retention was excellent (93% at Month 3 and 89% at Month 6). Intent-to-treat analyses demonstrated that participants lost an average (±SE) of -5.8 ± .60 kg from baseline to Month 3 and regained 1.1 ± .31 kg from Month 3 to Month 6; overall, weight loss from baseline to Month 6 was -4.7 ± .71 kg, p < .001. Men lost more weight than women, p = .022, and individuals who had a college degree or higher lost more weight than those with less education, p = .005. Adherence to viewing lessons (8 of 12) and self-monitoring (83% of days) was excellent and significantly associated with weight loss, ps < .05.

Conclusions: An Internet-based behavioral weight management intervention can be successfully implemented in a worksite setting and can lead to clinically significant weight losses. Given the low costs of offering this program, it could easily be widely disseminated.