A worksite obesity intervention: results from a group-randomized trial.

Objectives: We used a participatory process to develop an obesity intervention appropriate for elementary school personnel.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial included 16 school worksites (8 intervention, 8 control). Intervention schools formed committees to develop and implement health promotion activities for employees. Anthropometric and self-report data were collected at baseline and postintervention (2 years later). The primary outcome measures were body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption.

Results: After adjustment for age, ethnicity, and job classification, employees in intervention schools reduced their BMI by an average of 0.04 kg/m2, and those in control schools increased their BMI by an average of 0.37 kg/m2. Comparisons for waist-hip ratio, weekly physical activity minutes, and fruit and vegetable consumption were not significant.

Conclusions: The participatory process appeared to be an effective means for stimulating change. The intervention may have slowed and perhaps reversed the tendency of adults to gain weight progressively with age.