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Meta‐analyses of workplace physical activity and dietary behaviour interventions on weight outcomes
Author(s) -
Verweij L. M.,
Coffeng J.,
van Mechelen W.,
Proper K. I.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
obesity reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.845
H-Index - 162
eISSN - 1467-789X
pISSN - 1467-7881
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-789x.2010.00765.x
Subject(s) - bioelectrical impedance analysis , medicine , psychological intervention , waist , body mass index , meta analysis , population , weight loss , hydrostatic weighing , anthropometry , gerontology , physical therapy , demography , body weight , obesity , environmental health , psychiatry , sociology
Summary This meta‐analytic review critically examines the effectiveness of workplace interventions targeting physical activity, dietary behaviour or both on weight outcomes. Data could be extracted from 22 studies published between 1980 and November 2009 for meta‐analyses. The GRADE approach was used to determine the level of evidence for each pooled outcome measure. Results show moderate quality of evidence that workplace physical activity and dietary behaviour interventions significantly reduce body weight (nine studies; mean difference [MD]−1.19 kg [95% CI −1.64 to −0.74]), body mass index (BMI) (11 studies; MD −0.34 kg m −2 [95% CI −0.46 to −0.22]) and body fat percentage calculated from sum of skin‐folds (three studies; MD −1.12% [95% CI −1.86 to −0.38]). There is low quality of evidence that workplace physical activity interventions significantly reduce body weight and BMI. Effects on percentage body fat calculated from bioelectrical impedance or hydrostatic weighing, waist circumference, sum of skin‐folds and waist–hip ratio could not be investigated properly because of a lack of studies. Subgroup analyses showed a greater reduction in body weight of physical activity and diet interventions containing an environmental component. As the clinical relevance of the pooled effects may be substantial on a population level, we recommend workplace physical activity and dietary behaviour interventions, in cluding an environment component, in order to prevent weight gain.