Comparison of Two Workplace-Sponsored Obesity Prevention Programs (The WAY to Health Study)

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States with nearly 64% of American adults considered overweight or obese. Weight loss programs that take place at work have proven to be effective at promoting healthy lifestyles. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of a Web-based weight loss program versus a cash incentive weight loss program among employees at North Carolina universities and colleges.

Official Title

Interventions to Control Obesity in Colleges.

Conditions

• Weight Loss

Study Type

Interventional

Study Design

Treatment, Randomised, Open Label, Placebo Control, Factorial Assignment, Safety/Efficacy Study.

Further Details

Primary Outcome Measures: 

• Weight loss

Secondary Outcome Measures: 

• Percentage of body fat; moderate physical activity (PA); moderate/vigorous PA and step counts; total calories consumed; fruits and vegetables consumed; total and saturated fat consumed; overall eating behaviour; health related quality of life
• Self-reported health; presenteeism; productivity/work limits; turnover/absenteeism; medical expenditures data; campus changes in the physical/social environment

Study Start

September 2008

Eligibility & Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years and older
• Genders Eligible for Study: Both
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Inclusion Criteria:

• Body mass index (BMI) greater than 25
• Members of the State Health Plan in North Carolina

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• More than a 20-pound weight loss in the 6 months prior to study entry
• Type 1 diabetes
• Currently taking weight loss medication
• Acute medical problems that required more than 3 days of missed work during the 4-week period prior to study entry
• Lacks internet access at work or home
• Previous weight loss surgery or plans to have weight loss surgery
• Answers "Yes" to any of the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire questions
• Known history of stroke, coronary heart disease, or type 2 diabetes, or possesses a BMI of 42 or higher AND does not have a medical clearance from a physician

Total Enrolment

1200

Contact Details

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00481715

Telephone: +1 301 592 8573 

Sponsors and Collaborators

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Investigators

Principal Investigator:      

Laura A. Linnan, ScD, CHES  
University of North Carolina