Statewide (Rhode Island and Neighboring States) Partnerships for Worksite Weight Management

The project is designed to test the effectiveness of a multilevel worksite wellness program, based in Rhode Island and nearby neighboring states to impact employee weight, dietary intake and physical activity, compared to an attention placebo condition.

Accomplishment of the specific aim will be determined by a two group randomized effectiveness study (Treatment vs. Comparison) utilizing 24 RI worksites with randomization by site. The specific impact and outcome evaluation measures (BMI, DHQ-FFQ, and 7-day PAR) will be collected at Baseline, 12, and 24 months on a longitudinal cohort selected at random from the employee lists of each participating worksite. Extensive process evaluation and a mediating variable framework are also included to identify the mechanisms in successful change at both the worksite and individual level, which will maximize the potential for dissemination and generalization of the intervention as well as advance theory and improve intervention practice and policy. Primary outcome measure will be weight (BMI).

worksite, weight gain prevention (among adults), obesity (among adults), physical activity, nutrition

Treatment arm comprises one worksite in a matched site pair; one site assigned to treatment, the other site assigned to comparison. Treatment site worksite-based health promotion activities such as self-directed campaigns, lectures, small group programs, online programs, environment interventions (food service and physical)--all with focus on nutrition, physical activity and/or weight management.

Treatment site, worksite-based health promotion activities such as self-directed campaigns, lectures, small group programs, online programs, environment interventions (food service and physical)--all with focus on nutrition, physical activity and/or weight management.

Inclusion Criteria: Worksite worksite located in Rhode Island or neighboring state has food service on site approximately 200 - 500 employees low rate of employee turnover Exclusion Criteria: worksites outside New England Cohort participants: permanent employee, who works 20 or more hours on site speaks/reads some English at level to complete survey eval items able to walk at a brisk pace

Proper KI, Koning M, van der Beek AJ, Hildebrandt VH, Bosscher RJ, van Mechelen W. The effectiveness of worksite physical activity programs on physical activity, physical fitness, and health. Clin J Sport Med. 2003 Mar;13(2):106-17. doi: 10.1097/00042752-200303000-00008.

Hallam JS, Petosa R. The long-term impact of a four-session work-site intervention on selected social cognitive theory variables linked to adult exercise adherence. Health Educ Behav. 2004 Feb;31(1):88-100. doi: 10.1177/1090198103259164.