Second-Year Results of an Obesity Prevention Program at The Dow Chemical Company

Abstract

Objective Evaluate innovative, evidence-based approaches to organizational/supportive environmental interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence of obesity among Dow employees after two years of implementation. Methods A quasi-experimental study design compared outcomes for two levels of intervention intensity to a control group. Propensity scores were used to weight baseline differences between intervention and control subjects. Difference-in-differences methods and multi-level modeling were used to control for individual and site-level confounders. Results Intervention participants maintained their weight and BMI while control participants gained 1.3 pounds and increased their BMI values by 0.2 over two years. Significant differences in blood pressure and cholesterol values were observed when comparing intervention employees to controls. At higher intensity sites, improvements were more pronounced. Conclusions Environmental interventions at the workplace can support weight management and risk reduction after two years.

Towards Effective Design and Evaluation of Workplace Wellness Programs

“…In an evaluation of a worksite obesity prevention program, Goetzel et al randomized worksites to one of three types of programs, each with different levels of promotion. 57 Reductions in BMI and cholesterol were only significant among the programs with higher levels promotion activities.…”

Exploring Parental Perceptions of Self-Efficacy, Role Modeling and Factors Contributing to Family Health Practices from an Employer-Provided Family Weight Management Program: A Mixed Methods Study

“…More recent studies have found pronounced improvements. Goetzel et al (2010) using a quasi-experimental research design, with two levels of intervention intensity and a control group found significant differences in blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and cholesterol values while intervention participants maintained their weight and BMI compared to the control sight participants who gained 1.3 pounds and increased their BMI by 0.2 over two years.…”

“…Offering wellness programs may be an efficient strategy in promoting health and wellness (Dishman, Oldenburg, O'Neal, & Shephard, 1998;Engbers, van Poppel, Paw & van Mechelen, 2005;Goetzel et al, 2010;Proper et al, 2003). Although comprehensive efforts to lower the risk status of those in moderate or high-risk categories should be made, the needs of currently healthy workers must be addressed as well to avoid increases in risk status (Edington & Burton, 2003;Merrill & Sloan 2014;Musich et al, 2003).…”

“…Many Americans lead lifestyles that undermine their health, increasing employer costs and decreasing productivity (Edington, 2009;Edington & Burton, 2003). Organizations are engaging in wellness programs to improve the health of their workforce and reduce healthcare costs (Goetzel et al, 2010;Golaszewski, 2000).…”

“…Outcomes reveal that participants averaged a 4% BMI decrease with 41% lowering total cholesterol, and 69% lowering their blood glucose to less than 100 mg/dL. Goetzel et al (2010) evaluated the Dow Chemical Company obesity prevention intervention, "Lighten UP Program" to study the effects of employee overweight and obesity rates and associated health risks using biometric and behavioral measures. The program was designed to evaluate an environmental/social-ecological intervention program at 12 worksites (5 high-intensity, 4 moderate-intensity, and 3 control groups) to prevent and manage overweight and obesity.…”