Comparison of Workplace Obesity Management Programs

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to design and demonstrate the feasibility of implementing moderate and intensive environmental obesity prevention programs at major worksites.

Detailed Description
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BACKGROUND: More than half of all Americans are overweight or obese, and the prevalence of these risk factors has increased dramatically in the past decade. Obesity is a risk factor for several chronic illnesses, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The national medical cost that is attributed to obesity is estimated to be between $60 and $93 billion. Business leaders are becoming increasingly aware of the human and economic burden that poor health imposes on their workers. Many employers have invested in health promotion and disease prevention programs aimed at reducing the prevalence of obesity in the workplace through the encouragement of physical activity, maintaining a healthy diet, and improved management of health risk factors. Employers continue to seek innovative and evidence-based programs that can be implemented in the workplace to address a growing public health epidemic that also adversely affects worker productivity. DESIGN NARRATIVE: The primary objective of this study will be to evaluate the effect of introducing two levels of environmental programs, in addition to existing individualized programs, at reducing obesity in the workplace. Five outcomes will be evaluated: 1) body mass index and other weight-related biometric measures; 2) behavioral health risk factors; 3) weight-related health conditions; 4) health care utilization and medical expenditures; and 5) employee productivity measured in terms of reduced absenteeism and on-the-job presenteeism. The study will also include an assessment of costs and benefits of the two programs, including the medical, absenteeism, and productivity benefits, and an assessment of the impact of the programs on the worksite climate. Twelve Dow chemical companies will participate in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to a moderate environmental program, an intensive environmental program, or a control group, which will receive individualized treatment only. The moderate program will include inexpensive environmental changes (e.g., prompts and reminders). In the high intensity program, senior managers will assist in the development of a worksite culture that is broadly supportive of improved weight and health management by employees. Annual health screening and biometrics data along with administrative medical claims, absence records, and productivity survey data will be analyzed to determine program impacts. Non-experimental statistical methods will be used to control the differences that remain across sites after randomization. The study will also produce extensive information about how employers can successfully implement environmental programs to reduce obesity at worksites.

Official Title
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Environmental Approaches for Obesity Management at Dow

Conditions
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Obesity, Cardiovascular Diseases, Heart Diseases

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Diet
* Behavioral: Exercise
* Behavioral: Environmental Obesity Program - Healthy Culture


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Active employees at any of 12 participating company locations of The Dow Chemical Company Participants must be must be between 18 and 70 years old Exclusion Criteria: The Dow Chemical Company employees located at a facility other than one of the 12 study sites

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: High intensity environmental intervention<br>Intense intervention | Behavioral: Diet<br>* Healthy Choices in vending machines; Healthy Choices in cafeteria; Catering (Healthy Choices in site meetings, shutdowns, OT meals, etc.); Targeted Messages: Nutrition; Site Based Rewards and Recognition - Individual Employees Weight Management Tracking Program<br>Behavioral: Exercise<br>* Walking Paths/Routes; Weight Management Tracking Program; Targeted Messages: Physical Activity; Site Based Rewards and Recognition - Individual Employees<br>Behavioral: Environmental Obesity Program - Healthy Culture<br>* Site Goal Setting; Work Group Alignment to Site Goals; Reporting to Senior Leadership; Leadership Training; Site Leadership, Cross Discipline Teams, Work Groups, Healthy Culture Focal Point Rewards and Recognition<br>|
| Experimental: Moderate intensity environmental intervention<br>Moderate intervention | Behavioral: Diet<br>* Healthy Choices in vending machines; Healthy Choices in cafeteria; Catering (Healthy Choices in site meetings, shutdowns, OT meals, etc.); Targeted Messages: Nutrition; Site Based Rewards and Recognition - Individual Employees Weight Management Tracking Program<br>Behavioral: Exercise<br>* Walking Paths/Routes; Weight Management Tracking Program; Targeted Messages: Physical Activity; Site Based Rewards and Recognition - Individual Employees<br>|
| No Intervention: Individual intervention only<br>Control | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Prevalence of obesity |  | Measured at baseline and at the end of years 1 and 2 | 
| Weight-related risk factors |  | Measured at baseline and at the end of years 1 and 2 | 
| Overall health and well-being |  | Measured at baseline and at the end of years 1 and 2 | 
| Healthcare utilization and expenditures |  | Measured at baseline and at the end of years 1 and 2 | 
| Employee productivity measures (i.e., absenteeism and presenteeism) |  | Measured at baseline and at the end of years 1 and 2 | 
| Return on investment (measured at Year 2) |  | Measured at baseline and at the end of years 1 and 2 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Worksite, Workplace, Return on Investment, Financial Impact