An evaluation of the effect of a worksite delivered lifestyle intervention programme on anthropometric risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease

• Published in: Journal of human nutrition and dietetics 2011-08, Vol.24 (4), p.385-385
• Main Authors: Di Battista, E. M., Williams, M., Rice, S., Bracken, R. M., Mellalieu, S. D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0952-3871; 1365-277X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-277X.2011.01177_14.x

Background:  The government recommend an integrated programme to detect and support those at high risk of developing both type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) (Department of Health, 2008). Prosiect Sir Gâr (the Carmarthenshire Project) a multi‐agency collaboration, was formed to provide risk assessment at the workplace of employees over the age of 40 years, in Carmarthenshire, South Wales. To support those with increased cardiovascular risk, a lifestyle intervention programme (LIP) was developed as a component of Prosiect Sir Gâr and delivered across the Carmarthenshire Health Service and Tata Steel Works, Llanelli, with the aim of facilitating behaviour change to reduce risk factors for CVD and T2D. The aim of this study was to evaluate this programme. Methods:  Employees received eight 75 min sessions delivered at their workplace (in Glangwili Hospital, Prince Philip Hospital or Tata Steel Works, Llanelli) by a dietitian (seven sessions) and an exercise specialist (one session) with an emphasis on education and motivation for behaviour change. Weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and a health and lifestyle questionnaire (HLQ) score were collected at programme commencement and completion. Participant satisfaction was also captured. A maximum of 10 participants were enrolled on a LIP. All employees who undertook the risk screen are reassessed in 6 months, 12 months or 5 years depending on their initial risk profile. Results:  To date, six 8‐week programmes have been evaluated and 21 participants have completed. Two participants refused anthropometric measurements post‐LIP. Four participants gained weight with a BMI of 29.5 (5) kg/m−2 pre‐LIP and a BMI of 29.8 (4.8) kg m−2 post‐LIP [mean (SD)], respectively. A mean percentage weight gain of 1.1% (0.9%) was observed amongst the four participants. Fifteen participants demonstrated weight reduction post‐LIP with mean a BMI of 35.2 (3.4) kg m−2 pre‐LIP and a mean of BMI 34.3 (3.3) kg m−2 post‐LIP, respectively. Among the fifteen participants, mean percentage weight loss was 2.7% (2%) post‐LIP. Among these weight reducers, two participants had a raised waist circumference (WC) post‐LIP; however, mean reduction in WC was 4.9 (3.2) cm. Sixteen participants completed the HLQ, of which 15 demonstrated improved scores. Observations from the post‐pilot phase at 3 months indicates ongoing weight loss in a cohort of six participants where data was taken from CVD risk screening, with a me