Obesity Prevention and Control

Once assessment and planning have been completed, including analysis of the collected data, the next step is implementing the strategies and interventions that will comprise the workplace health program. These intervention descriptions include the public health evidence-baseThe development, implementation, and evaluation of effective programs and policies in public health through application of principles of scientific reasoning, including systematic uses of data and information systems, and appropriate use of behavioral science theory and program planning models. for each intervention, details on designing interventions for maintaining a healthy weight, and links to examples and resources.

Before implementing any interventions, the evaluation plan should also be developed. Potential baseline, process, health outcomes, and organizational change measures for these programs are listed under evaluation of obesity prevention and control programs.

Obesity increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions including:

• Coronary heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cancer (breast and colon)
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Osteoarthritis

Overweight and obesity and their health effects are associated with substantial economic costs. In 2008, the estimated health care costs related to obesity were $147 billion¹

The use of body mass index (BMI) is an approach to assessing whether a person is overweight or obese.  While BMI standards have some drawbacks, they are useful for quick assessment of employee’s excess body weight in the workplace and are often used in clinical care. 

• The formula for BMI is weight in pounds (lbs) divided by height in inches (in) squared and multiplied by a conversion factor of 703  
• Using standard definitions, a BMI of
  less than 18.5 is underweight
  18.5 to 24.9 is normal
  25.0 to 29.9 is overweight
  30.0 or higher is obese
  

Many obesity interventions are closely linked to physical activity and nutrition programs.  These intervention descriptions supplement the material found under those headings.

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Health-related programs obesity prevention and control^2-4

Use employee health surveys in the workplace

• Employee health surveys should be combined with individualized assessment, counseling and follow up for health behavior change.  Options include individual-adapted behavior change programs and professional guidance and support for initiation of obesity prevention and control programs 

Use multifaceted employee education and participation programs

• Interventions that combine physical activity and nutrition are effective in helping employees lose weight and keep it off in the short term. These interventions use combinations of activities and support, such as nutrition education classes, aerobic and strength training, training in goal setting and lifestyle skills, self-help materials or specific dietary plans, and group exercise sessions.  Research has found that these combinations resulted in an average weight loss of at least four pounds at 6 months or more after beginning the program
• The health-related program strategies and interventions listed for physical activity and nutrition include lifestyle activities recommended to maintain a healthy weight

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Health-Related policies for obesity prevention and control  

Workplace policies promote a corporate “culture of good healthThe creation of a working environment where employee health and safety is valued, supported and promoted through workplace health programs, policies, benefits, and environmental supports. Building a Culture of Health involves all levels of the organization and establishes the workplace health program as a routine part of business operations aligned with overall business goals. The results of this culture change include engaged and empowered employees, an impact on health care costs, and improved worker productivity..”

Worksite lifestyle programs can help employees manage their weight

• The health-related policy strategies and interventions listed for physical activity and nutrition include lifestyle activities recommended to maintain healthy weight

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Health benefits for obesity prevention and control^5-7

Employee health benefits are part of an overall compensation package and affect an employee’s willingness to seek preventive services and clinical care.

Enhance benefit coverage for obesity clinical screening, counseling, and treatment

• The U.S Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that clinicians screen all adult patients for obesity and offer intensive counseling and behavioral interventions to promote sustained weight loss for obese adults.
• In addition the U.S Food and Drug Administration has approved certain medications for the treatment of obesity
• The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health recommends that surgery is an option for carefully selected obese patients with a BMI greater than 40 or a BMI between 35 and 39.9 who also have at least one obesity-related illness when other less invasive methods of weight loss have failed

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Environmental support for obesity prevention and control

Environmental support provides a worksite physically designed to encourage good health.

Worksite environmental support activities for lifestyle change can be used to promote weight management

• The health-related environmental support strategies and interventions listed for physical activity and nutrition include lifestyle activities recommended to maintain a healthy weight

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