Impact of COVID-19 on a Worksite Weight Loss Program for Employees With Overweight and Obesity

Authors

Che Young Lee
Michael C Robertson
Kendahl Servino
Thuan Le
Margaret Raber
Katherine Oestman
Karen M Basen-Engquist

Publication Date

12-21-2022

Journal

Obesity Science & Practice

DOI

10.1002/osp4.653

PMID

36718199

PMCID

PMC9877790

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

3-3-2023

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Published Open-Access

yes

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to be negatively associated with physical activity engagement, adherence to healthy diet, and weight management among people with obesity. The current study examined COVID-19-related changes in weight, physical activity (PA), and diet among employees with obesity or overweight who participated in Vibrant Lives (VL), a worksite weight loss program.

METHODS: School district employees participated in the 6-month VL weight loss program and were categorized into non-COVID-era participants and COVID-era participants. Participants completed questionnaires about PA and dietary intake at baseline and follow-up. COVID-era participants reported the effects of pandemic on their behaviors. Changes in weight, PA, and diet were compared between groups using multilevel linear mixed models and logistic regression models.

RESULTS: A total of 266 participants (non-COVID, n=173; COVID, n=93) were included. Significant weight loss (non-COVID, -2.3 kg vs. COVID, -1.3 kg) and increases in moderate-to-vigorous PA minutes (non-COVID, 48.7 min vs. COVID, 61.5 min) were observed associated with the program, but no significant differences in changes between the groups were found. Compared to non-COVID participants, COVID participants decreased fast food consumption (

CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic was negatively associated with healthful dietary behaviors. The information obtained from participants regarding the reasons for their pandemic-related changes in diet may help identify strategies to encourage healthier behaviors and weight management among people who have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic..This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.