Four worksite weight loss programs with high-stress occupations using a meal replacement product

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of worksite weight reduction programs at high-stress worksites. We employed a longitudinal study based on two meal replacements daily with subjects choosing a third 'sensible' meal. The subjects were 492 healthy, overweight men and women working in high-stress occupations (police, hospital health professionals, flight crew members, firefighters). The mean group ages ranged from 32.17 ± 5.70 to 44.50 ± 16.40 years; the mean group body mass indexes (BMIs) ranged from 27.40 ± 2.54 to 32.90 ± 3.39 kg/m2. The completion rate for the 12 weeks was 79.8%. Reductions in mean weight and mean BMI were greater than in medically supervised clinical trials with non-worksite adults. Firefighters lost the most weight and medical personnel the least. Follow-up found considerable retention of weight loss. Men lost significantly more weight than women (P < 0.006). We conclude that employees in some high-stress settings may participate productively in worksite weight reduction and maintenance programs that use meal replacements.