One-year weight loss maintenance outcomes following a worksite-based weight reduction program among Japanese men with cardiovascular risk factors

Abstract

Objectives Worksite‐based programs present a simple and effective approach to facilitate weight reduction in employees. Despite the importance of 1‐year weight loss maintenance, studies have generally focused on the short‐term effects of weight reduction programs. In addition, little is known about the long‐term weight maintenance outcomes in Asian populations. We examined the long‐term maintenance effects of a worksite‐based weight reduction program among Japanese men with cardiovascular risk factors. Methods The study sample comprised 58 overweight men with cardiovascular risk factors who had voluntarily participated in a randomized crossover trial involving a 3‐month weight reduction program. Participants were followed up for 1 year after the trial concluded, and both groups were merged for the analysis. We compared the changes in body weight before the post‐trial follow‐up and after 12 months to examine the long‐term maintenance effects of the program. Changes in other cardiovascular risk factors (eg, waist circumference, blood pressure, lipid measures, and diabetes‐related measures) were also examined. Results Both groups of study participants achieved weight loss during the weight reduction program. Total 53 participants (91.4%) completed the 12‐month post‐trial follow‐up. There were no significant changes in mean body weight (mean: −0.11, 95% confidence interval: −0.7‐0.49 kg) and other cardiovascular risk factors between the beginning and end of the follow‐up period. Conclusions This study showed that the worksite‐based weight reduction program not only enabled short‐term weight loss, but that the participants were able to successfully maintain their weight for 1 year after the program without any supplementary interventions.

The Long-Term Dietitian and Psychological Support of Obese Patients Who Have Reduced Their Weight Allows Them to Maintain the Effects

“…The limitations of this study include the small number of participants, which, on the other hand, facilitated an individual and personal approach to every patient. The number of participants considered in our study is similar to that reported by some previous studies investigating weight loss maintenance following dietary treatment of obesity [107][108][109][110][111][112]. This fact needs to be considered when attempting to apply the findings of the present study to the broader population as a potential public health intervention to manage obesity.…”

Dietary Strategies for Weight Loss Maintenance

“…In the Diabetes Prevention Outcome Study, it was found that 40% of the participants who had lost ≥ 5% of their initial body weight after 1 year (in the intensive lifestyle group) had maintained at least 5% weight loss after 15 years of follow-up [8]. On average, no weight regain during a follow-up period of 12 months was reported after a weight loss program of 3 months in a Japanese worksite intervention [9]. In the Look Ahead Study, comparing an intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) with regular diabetes control, weight regain occurred after 1 year, but at 4 years weight loss was still significantly more pronounced in the ILI group, as was the case after 8 years (ILI −4.7%, control −2.1%) [10,11].…”

Workplace wellness programs targeting weight outcomes in men: A scoping review

“…Authors were contacted to determine this, but no response was received; therefore, these were excluded. This meant 25 articles were included in the review 13,14,39–61 …”

“…The interventions were carried out in several different continents, with most conducted in North America (n = 9) 42,[46][47][48][49]51,53,56,57 and Europe (n = 9), 13,39,[43][44][45]50,54,59,60 followed by Asia (n = 4) 40,52,58,61 and Australia (n = 3) (Table 1). 14,41,55 The setting in which the intervention took place varied.…”