Impact of COVID-19 on a worksite weight loss program for employees with overweight and obesity

Authors: LEE, CHE - Md Anderson Cancer Center; ROBERTSON, MICHAEL - University Of Texas Medical Branch; SERVINO, KENDAHL - University Of Nevada School Of Medicine; LE, THUAN - Md Anderson Cancer Center; RABER, MARGARET - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC); OESTMAN, KATHERINE - Md Anderson Cancer Center; BASEN-ENGQUIST, KAREN - Md Anderson Cancer Center

Submitted to: Obesity Science & Practice
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/11/2022
Publication Date: 12/21/2022
Citation: Lee, C.Y., Robertson, M.C., Servino, K., Le, T., Raber, M., Oestman, K., Basen-Engquist, K.M. 2022. Impact of COVID-19 on a worksite weight loss program for employees with overweight and obesity. Obesity Science & Practice. https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.653.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.653

Interpretive Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns have been shown to be negatively associated with healthy lifestyle factors such as exercise, healthy eating, and weight management, especially among people with obesity. This study examined the health behaviors of obese participants in a digital weight loss intervention study conducted both before and during the pandemic. We found that those who participated during the lockdowns increased both health-compromising and health-protective behaviors. We identified barriers and facilitators to healthy eating during the lockdowns through a brief survey to better understand the way COVID-19 impacted health-related lifestyle behaviors. The findings of this study may help identify strategies to encourage healthier behaviors and weight management among people who have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and inform future public health programming.

Technical Abstract: 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 worsksite weight loss program. 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 co mpleted 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. A total of 266 participants (non-COVID, n=173; COVID, n=93) were included. Significant we ight 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 (P=.008) and increased sugar-sweetened beverage intake (P=.016). Higher frequency of snacking and overeating were reported as barriers to a healthy diet. 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.