Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2016

Publisher

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Source Publication

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Source ISSN

1076-2752

Abstract

Objective:  We examined the relationship between the type of incentivized wellness program and employee weight loss and the effects of participant income. Methods:  We retrospectively examined employees who participated in one of six weight loss wellness programs, which were categorized for the present analysis: reweigh/body mass index, Coaching, and Weight Watchers/Meal Replacement. Those who participated were eligible for a $350/year insurance premium discount. Results:  Employees in the low-income category of $45K or less participated at a higher rate, however, did not lose as much weight as those participants in the higher income categories of $70K or more. We found a positive association with weight loss in two of the categories, reweigh/body mass index, and Weight Watchers/Meal Replacement programs. Conclusion:  Wellness programs have a significant impact on employee weight loss, but this relationship may vary across the income level of participants. Learning Objectives •    Discuss the features and outcomes of an incentivized program in which employees were offered a choice of different types of weight loss programs. •    Summarize the study findings on the association between employee income, program participation, and weight loss achieved. •    Discuss the implications for designing and offering incentivized employee wellness programs.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Vol. 58, No. 12 (2016): 1181-1184. DOI. This article is © 2016 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Used with permission.

Maharaj Singh was affiliated with Aurora Health Care at the time of publication.

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