Work-site weight management : a new approach
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Abstract
Based on the national, state, and local statistics, the goals and objectives of Healthy People 2000 and the increased concern for weight loss in men and women, it was apparent that there is a need for sound weight management programs. Basic Balance is a weight management and well-lifestyle training program. This paper provides a brief overview of the Basic Balance program: listing the components; incentives and interventions, testing procedures, and follow up process. The focus of this paper is to examine the success of the Basic Balance program long-term and determine what part(s) of the intervention had the greatest impact on the participants' behavior changes.Basic Balance is a 12 -week program. All participants completed a post follow up evaluation consisting of a general fitness assessment, body composition analysis, health risk analysis, and a written evaluation of the program. All participants received an 18 -month post-follow up evaluation via health risk analysis, body composition analysis, and a qualitative structured interview process. The data collected helped determine whether a long-term follow up (intervention) program is needed in order to observe weight loss maintenance and sustained behavior change at 18 months. The sample size for the follow up process was approximately 10. The subjects were full-time white-collar employees of Lincoln Financial Group in Fort Wayne, IN. The follow up study was completely voluntary and the subjects were free to discontinue participation at any time without prejudice from the investigator. The data was analyzed as a group and all personal records were kept confidential.In summary, the Basic Balance programs does work short-term. This was clearly indicated in based on information collected at end-participation. However, long-term impacts of the program are less positive. The collected data provides support for: 1) upgrading the Basic Balance Program, and 2) evaluating the need for a one year follow-up program (Level 2) designed to help participants maintain and enhance their weight management goals and lifestyle changes.