An observational study of an employer intervention for children's healthy weight behaviors

• Published in: Pediatrics (Evanston) 2010-11, Vol.126 (5), p.e1153-e1160
• Main Authors: Sepúlveda, Martín-J, Lu, Chifung, Sill, Stewart, Young, Joyce M, Edington, Dee W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Body mass index; Child; Childrens health; Education - methods; Employee Incentive Plans; Employees; Employers; Feeding Behavior; Female; Food Preferences; Goals; Humans; Ideal Body Weight; Industry; Information Systems; Intervention; Leisure Activities; Male; Motivation; Obesity - prevention & control; Occupational Health Services; Pediatrics; Physical Fitness; Program Development; Sedentary Lifestyle; Weight control
• ISSN: 0031-4005; 1098-4275; 1098-4275
• DOI: 10.1542/peds.2009-3210

This observational study was undertaken to assess whether changes in healthy weight behaviors could be advanced in a short-term intervention involving parents and children at IBM. IBM's Children's Health Rebate offered a cash incentive for parents to complete a 12-week program of self-selected activities in family food planning and meals, family physical activity, and sedentary time related to electronic entertainment ("screen time"). A preprogram/postprogram comparison of self-reported activities was used to assess behavior change. A total of 22,265 (52.3%) employees elected to participate, 11,631 (52.2%) of whom completed all program requirements and earned a $150 cash rebate. Families completing the program reported significant changes in levels of physical activity, amount of entertainment screen time, and proportion of healthy meals. For example, family physical activity >3 times per week increased by 17.1 percentage points (from 23.2% to 40.3%), eating healthy dinners ≥ 5 days/week increased by 11.8 percentage points (from 74.9% to 86.7%), and entertainment screen time