Scientists studying ways to help community college employees lose weight and k...( vention Partners Blue Cross Blue Shiel...),Health

"This is the first study to rigorously test three different worksite-based weight-loss programs," Linnan said. "Employers want to offer effective, evidence-based weight-loss programs for employees so this study will address an important gap in our knowledge about what works."

She and her colleagues also plan to investigate how work environments can be improved to support those who are trying to lose weight, the scientist said. Access to healthier foods, special promotions and labeling of health foods should support employees who are trying to shed excess pounds.

"In North Carolina, obesity accounts for more than $2 billion annually in increased medical spending," Linnan said. Nearly half of that total is financed through employer- provided health insurance."

No such studies have been undertaken to address health promotion among employees in community colleges, she said.

The team will enroll nearly 20 community colleges from the 42 that expressed interest in participating, the scientist said. About 1,300 employees will take part in the study.

"If we find effective weight-loss strategies, we will work with our partners to disseminate them to many more employers across the state," Linnan said.

Participants will be assigned randomly to one of three program conditions, she said. The first is an environment-only program called the Winners' Circle Dining Program, which attempts to increase access to healthy foods at work. The second adds a state-of-the-art Web-based weight-loss program to "Winners' Circle," and the third offers both, along with cash incentives for those who shed pounds and achieve a healthy weight.

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Contact: David Williamson
rdtokids@email.unc.edu
919-962-8596
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
20-Jul-2005