The proposed site-level randomized trial will test the effectiveness of a work site intervention based on an ecological framework at preventing weight gain among high school employees in Massachusetts. The investigators hypothesis is that the intervention will positively impact healthy dietary patterns and physical activity, perceived organizational commitment, coworker influences, social support, self-efficacy, and self-control, which in turn will positively mediate or moderate the positive associations between the intervention and the primary outcomes (change in weight, BMI, and waist circumference). If effective, the intervention is designed to be generalizable to high school settings across the country and has the potential to reduce the morbidity, mortality and economic costs of overweight and obesity in this important population.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
844
Promotion of weight gain prevention among teachers and staff in public high schools through Step Ahead, a comprehensive intervention targeting three levels suggested by the ecological framework health behavior change: organizational school level, interpersonal level, and individual level.
Promotion of weight gain prevention among teachers and staff in public high schools through receipt of the workbook print materials and access to website similar to the enhanced intervention.
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
High school employee change in weight
Test the effectiveness of a worksite intervention based on an ecological framework at preventing an increase in weight among high school employees in Massachusetts
Time frame: 24 months post-baseline
High school employee change in BMI
Test the effectiveness of a worksite intervention based on an ecological framework at preventing an increase in BMI among high school employees in Massachusetts
Time frame: 24 months post-baseline
High School employee change in waist circumference
Test the effectiveness of a worksite intervention based on an ecological framework at preventing an increase in waist circumference among high school employees in Massachusetts
Time frame: 23 months post-baseline
Weight management behaviors
Test the effectiveness of a worksite intervention compared to the control condition on physical activity and healthy eating behaviors among high school employees in Massachusetts.
Time frame: 24 months post-baseline
High school employee absenteeism
Test the effectiveness of a work site intervention based on an ecological framework at preventing absenteeism among high school employees in Massachusetts.
Time frame: 24 months post-baseline
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