School Worksite Weight Gain Prevention Intervention Study

The proposed site-level randomized trial will test the effectiveness of a work site intervention based on an ecological framework at preventing weight gain among high school employees in Massachusetts. The investigators hypothesis is that the intervention will positively impact healthy dietary patterns and physical activity, perceived organizational commitment, coworker influences, social support, self-efficacy, and self-control, which in turn will positively mediate or moderate the positive associations between the intervention and the primary outcomes (change in weight, BMI, and waist circumference). If effective, the intervention is designed to be generalizable to high school settings across the country and has the potential to reduce the morbidity, mortality and economic costs of overweight and obesity in this important population.

Promotion of weight gain prevention among teachers and staff in public high schools through Step Ahead, a comprehensive intervention targeting three levels suggested by the ecological framework health behavior change: organizational school level, interpersonal level, and individual level.

Promotion of weight gain prevention among teachers and staff in public high schools through receipt of the workbook print materials and access to website similar to the enhanced intervention.

Promotion of weight gain prevention among teachers and staff in public high schools through Step Ahead, a comprehensive intervention targeting three levels suggested by the ecological framework health behavior change: organizational school level, interpersonal level, and individual level.

Promotion of weight gain prevention among teachers and staff in public high schools through receipt of the workbook print materials and access to website similar to the enhanced intervention.

Test the effectiveness of a worksite intervention based on an ecological framework at preventing an increase in weight among high school employees in Massachusetts

Test the effectiveness of a worksite intervention based on an ecological framework at preventing an increase in BMI among high school employees in Massachusetts

Test the effectiveness of a worksite intervention based on an ecological framework at preventing an increase in waist circumference among high school employees in Massachusetts

Test the effectiveness of a worksite intervention compared to the control condition on physical activity and healthy eating behaviors among high school employees in Massachusetts.

Test the effectiveness of a work site intervention based on an ecological framework at preventing absenteeism among high school employees in Massachusetts.

Inclusion Criteria: work at least 15 hours per week, or approximately half of the school week, only work at one school participating in the study, not be in a "leadership" position in the school (e.g. principals and vice-principals) be able to stand up speak English plan to be employed at the school for the next 24 months Exclusion Criteria: work less than 15 hours per week work at more than one participating school work in a "leadership" position (e.g. principal or vice-principal) does not speak English unable to stand up

Wang ML, Haughton CF, Frisard C, Pbert L, Geer C, Lemon SC. Perceived weight status and weight change among a U.S. adult sample. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2017 Jan;25(1):223-228. doi: 10.1002/oby.21685. Epub 2016 Nov 15.

Alker HJ, Wang ML, Pbert L, Thorsen N, Lemon SC. Impact of school staff health on work productivity in secondary schools in Massachusetts. J Sch Health. 2015 Jun;85(6):398-404. doi: 10.1111/josh.12266.