The Workplace POWER trial: a workplace weight loss program for male shift workers

INTERVENTION: The duration of the intervention is 3 months. All participants will attend a face‐to‐face introductory session (60 minutes) led by the Chief Investigator in Oct‐Nov 2009. The information session will cover standard weight control instruction relating to diet, physical activity and behaviour change strategies including self monitoring, goal setting and social support. All participants will be provided with a study handbook. Participants in the intervention group will receive additional behavioural procedures over the course of the 3 months via use of the online website www.calorieking.com.au to support the key strategies of self monitoring and social support. The initial face‐to‐face session for Intervention participants will also include a technical orientation session to familiarise and teach participants how to use the study website. The website allows submission of self‐monitored energy expenditure and intake, weight and online group support. Participants will be instructed to submit daily diaries for the first month and be given the option of submitting daily or weekly thereafter. Their diaries will be reviewed (weekly in the 1st month; fortnightly in the 2nd month and monthly thereafter) and individualised feedback provided in the key areas of weight loss; diet (kilojoule intake, saturated fat, sodium and fibre) and physical activity (frequency, intensity, type and time). Participants can email the research team with questions. Men will attend the information sessions in crews or departments and be encouraged to help each other use the website. Men will also weigh in each month to track progress and the 'crew' with the greatest percentage weight loss will win a prize offered by workplace management (= $50 p/hd each). A prize will also be offered at 3 months from management. CONDITION: Obesity PRIMARY OUTCOME: Body weight (kg) was measured in light clothing, without shoes on a digital scale to 0.1kg (model CH‐150kp, A&D Mercury Pty Ltd, Australia) INCLUSION CRITERIA: Participants will be male staff at Tomago Aluminium Company Pty Limited who are overweight or obese (BMI between 25 and 40kg/m2) SECONDARY OUTCOME: Absenteeism and injury rates were determined using work records Body Mass Index (BMI) ‐ Height was measured to 0.1 cm using the stretch stature method and a stadiometer (VR High Speed Counter) (Harpenden/Holtain, Mentone Education Centre, Morrabin, Victoria). BMI was calculated using the standard equation (weight [kg]/height[m]2). Dietary intake ‐ measured using items from the Food Frequency Questionnaire from the Victorian Cancer Council and other supplementary questions + 4‐item healthy eating practices Perceived physical and mental health using the SF‐12 questionnaire Physical activity cognitions (social support, self efficacy, self management) using validated questionnaires Sleepiness ‐ using the Epworth sleepiness scale Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured using a NISSEI/DS‐105E digital electronic blood pressure monitor (Nihon Seimitsu Sokki Co. Ltd., Gunma, Japan) under standardized procedures Waist Circumference (cm) ‐ Waist circumference was measured at two points (i) level with the umbilicus and (ii) at the narrowest point. Each measurement was recorded with a non‐extensible steel tape (KDSF10‐02, KDS Corporation, Osaka, Japan). Work productivity ‐ using the the Work Limitations Questionnaire Yamax SW700 pedometers (Yamax Corporation, Kumamoto City, Japan) were used to objectively measure physical activity. Participants were asked to wear pedometers for seven consecutive days and keep to their normal routine. At baseline assessments, participants were instructed on how to attach the pedometers (at the waist on the right hand side) and asked to remove the pedometers only when sleeping, when the pedometer might get wet (e.g. swimming, showering) or during contact sports. At the end of the day participants were instructed to record their steps and reset their pedometers to zero. Once they had completed seven days of monitoring, participants were instructed to place the pedometer and record sheet in the prepaid envelope provided and return to the research team.