The purpose of this study is to implement and evaluate a two-year multi-component environmental intervention to prevent weight gain among city bus drivers at four bus garages. It is hypothesized that transit employees in the intervention garages will gain less weight compared to the transit employees in the control garages.
BACKGROUND: Environmental influences that support less healthful food choices and sedentary behaviors have contributed to the epidemic increase in overweight and obesity among U.S. adults. Worksite settings are an effective channel through which to reach adults with interventions designed to prevent excess weight gain and obesity. DESIGN NARRATIVE: This study will implement and evaluate a multi-component environmental intervention to prevent excess weight gain among 1200 bus drivers working in four garages in a major metropolitan area. Four garages will be randomized to the intervention or control group for a two-year period. The environmental interventions are based on a social ecological framework and target four worksite environmental areas: 1) food availability and incentives; 2) physical activity opportunities and incentives; 3) the social environment; and 4) media/promotion related to health food choices, physical activity, and body weight.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
1,200
Food choices and eating behavior programs and environmental changes will be implemented for 18 months in intervention garages.
Physical activity programs are offered at the intervention garages for an 18 month period.
Changes in the food and physical activity environment are made for an 18 month period in intervention garages. These include improving the healthfulness of the foods available in vending machines, and improving the fitness rooms at the garages.
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Change in body weight
Time frame: Measured at Year 2
Changes in energy intake and physical activity
Time frame: Measured at Year 2
Health claims cost
Time frame: Measured at Year 2
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