Nutrient intake in the GEICO multicenter trial: the effects of a multicomponent worksite intervention

Abstract

Background/objectives:To assess the effects on macro- and micronutrient intake of a nutrition intervention program in corporate settings across the United States.Subjects/methods:Two hundred and ninety-two individuals who were overweight or had type 2 diabetes were recruited from 10 sites of a US insurance company. Two hundred and seventy-one participants completed baseline diet recalls, and 183 participants completed dietary recalls at 18 weeks. Sites were randomly assigned to an intervention group (five sites) or to a control group (five sites) for 18 weeks. At intervention sites, participants were asked to follow a low-fat vegan diet and attend weekly group meetings. At control sites, participants continued their usual diets. At baseline and 18 weeks, participants completed 2-day diet recalls. Between-group differences in changes in nutrient intake were assessed using an analysis of covariance.Results:Compared with those in the control group, intervention-group participants significantly reduced the reported intake of total fat (P=0.02), saturated (P=0.006) and monounsaturated fats (P=0.01), cholesterol (P=0.009), protein (P=0.03) and calcium (P=0.02), and increased the intake of carbohydrate (P=0.006), fiber (P=0.002), β-carotene (P=0.01), vitamin C (P=0.003), magnesium (P=0.04) and potassium (P=0.002).Conclusions:An 18-week intervention program in a corporate setting reduces intake of total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol and increases the intake of protective nutrients, particularly fiber, β-carotene, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium. The reduction in calcium intake indicates the need for planning for this nutrient.

Randomization to plant-based dietary approaches leads to larger short-term improvements in Dietary Inflammatory Index scores and macronutrient intake compared with diets that contain meat

“…Iron intake was low among all groups. Both observational [2,3,46] and intervention studies [47][48][49] have shown higher or similar iron intakes between vegetarians and vegans as compared with omnivores, with the difference being that veg and vegan diets only contain nonheme iron. With the exception of an increase in potassium at 2 months among the vegan group, recommendations to follow any of the diets did not differentially impact potassium intake.…”

Strategies for Worksite Health Interventions to Employees with Elevated Risk of Chronic Diseases

“…Clinical: to hypertension cohort--blood pressure; to hyperlipidemia cohort-HDL, LDL, Triglyceride; to diabetes cohort--HbA1c.2011Terry [41]Health2Baseline & postinterventionValidated Health Risk Assessment, established previously based on associations between assessed health risks & cardiac-associated mortality rates2012Lahiri [42]Work3Baseline, 16 wk, & 28 wk (absenteeism & presentism were only measured at baseline & wk 28)Absenteeism, Presentism by Work Limitations Questionnaires2012Malarkey [43]Health4Baseline, 2 mo, 6 mo, & 12 moBlood pressure, pulse rate, BMI, blood sample; Biomarkers: level of inflammatory peptide C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, salivary cortisol, leptin. Questionnaires: Perceived Stress Scale, Sleep-Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, depressive symptoms: Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression; mindfulness: The Toronto Mindfulness Scale2013Batra [44]Health2Baseline & postinterventionWeight; Food craving questionnaire, Three-factor eating questionnaire2013Salinardi [45]Health2Baseline & postintervention (weight was measured 6 times in intervention group during the 6 mo)Weight, height, blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol & triglycerides2013Carr [46]Health2Baseline & postinterventionSedentary time measured by StepWatch physical activity monitor, blood pressure, body mass, heart rate, waist circumference, fasting blood lipids, estimated aerobic fitness2013Koepp [47]Work & health3Baseline, 6 mo, & 12 moDaily physical activity (using accelerometers), work performance, body composition, & blood variables: glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1C, & lipids2013Kullgren [48]Health3Baseline, 24 wk, & 36 wk (weight was measured monthly during the 36 wk)Weight; Physical Activity Questionnaire, Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18, participation in weight-related wellness programs2013Mishra [15]Health2Baseline & postinterventionOnline automated self-administered 24-h diet recall2014Carpenter [49]Health3Baseline, 6 mo, & 1...…”

A systematic review protocol examining workplace interventions that aim to improve employee health and wellbeing in male-dominated industries

“…The World Health Organisation defined a healthy workplace as "one in which workers and managers collaborate to use a continual improvement process to protect and promote the health, safety and well-being of all workers and the sustainability of the workplace" [4]. Employers are considered to be in a suitable position to help support and promote employee health and wellbeing in several areas including nutrition, physical activity, disease management and workplace environmental changes [5][6][7][8].…”