Regional Platform for Health and Wellbeing pilot study: provision of online weight management support via the workplace

<p>Introduction The workplace presents an opportunity for improving health and wellbeing, including supporting employees with their weight management. The East Midlands Platform for Health and Wellbeing is a unique regional network of private, public and voluntary sector organisations working to improve health and reduce obesity. Member organisations commit to actions that improve the health and wellbeing of employees, individuals and/or communities. As part of Slimming World’s commitment to the platform, and building on a previous workplace group-based weight management study (Lavin et al, 2013), this pilot assessed the merits of providing online weight management support via the workplace at a large regional employer. Methods73 Nottingham City Council employees were offered 12 weeks’ weight management support with Slimming World’s online programme. The programme allows unlimited access to behaviour change support around diet and physical activity and requests a once weekly weigh-in. Weight change was self-reported weekly using Slimming World calibrated scales placed within each worksite. Dietary and physical activity behaviours, along with aspects of psychological wellbeing were assessed by questionnaires pre-and post-programme.Results57 participants (meeting inclusion criteria) took part in the trial and were included within the analysis. 16 employees were excluded from the analysis due to; non completion of baseline questionnaire, not being able/did not wish to join the online programme, requesting to be removed, or because they did not submit any weight changes.Weight change and online participation: Mean (SD) joining BMI was 35.3 (5.9) kg/m2. 44 participants (77%) were classed as completing the programme (logged into the online programme and submitted at least 1 weight change within the final 4 weeks).Conclusion Providing online weight management support via the workplace resulted in individuals achieving significant weight loss (-3.9%). Those who completed the programme and both pre-and postprogramme questionnaires showed positive changes in behavioural outcomes, including healthy eating and physical activity habits, and psychological wellbeing, which may impact on working life. These results suggest that the Slimming World online weight management programme could be a practical option within workplace health and wellbeing programmes.</p>