Obesity Epidemic Remains a Battle

By Lydell C. Bridgeford
November 4, 2008

A sneak preview into a large-scale study on a workplace obesity program shows modest gains by participants, even as the U.S. government reports a significant spike in obesity-related diabetes cases.

Researchers examined two health promotion programs for employees at Dow Chemical Company. Nine worksites offered a new weight management program aimed at creating a healthier work environment. The other three locations relied on a health improvement program that focuses on education and behavioral changes.

The program used by the nine sites was designed to help employees reduce their calorie intake and become more physically active while at work. The company added nutritious snacks to vending machines and low-calorie meals to cafeteria menus. It also created onsite walking trails and pedometer programs, as well as setting up one-on-one health coaching for participants.

Just after one year, researchers note that workers who participated in the workplace intervention program showed better results on weight management, decreased tobacco use and lower blood pressure, compared to workers at the other three locations.

"These are early findings from a longer and larger multisite study that examines the effects of introducing relatively low-cost environmental and ecological interventions at the workplace, aimed at curbing the growth of overweight and obesity among workers," says Dr. Ron Goetzel, a research professor of health policy and management at Emory University.

According to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity plays a key factor to the nation's rapid rate of new diabetes cases, which jumped by more than 90% among adults over the last 10 years.

"This study demonstrates that we must continue to promote effective diabetes prevention efforts that include lifestyle interventions for people at risk for diabetes," says Dr. Karen Kirtland, a data analyst at CDC. "Changes such as weight loss combined with moderate physical activity are important steps that individuals can take to reduce their risk for developing diabetes," she adds.