A systematic review of the long-term effectiveness of work-based lifestyle interventions to tackle overweight and obesity

Obesity is one of the five leading global risks for mortality, accounting for 5% of deaths worldwide. Workplace health promotion programs have the potential to deliver population-level interventions combining physical activity and exercise. However, there is no recent critical review of trials on long-term effectiveness of multicomponent lifestyle interventions in the workplace targeting obesity. Good quality evidence is needed to develop optimal strategies to tackle adult obesity. 1035 studies were retrieved by literature search in MEDLINE, Embase, PSYCH INFO and Cochrane library from 2005 to September 2016. 11 studies were identified, which were critiqued using 2010 CONSORT guideline. Most of the studies were not high quality. Five studies reported positive findings. Many studies included environmental interventions, but only two showed significant Body Mass Index (BMI) reduction. Studies showing significant BMI reduction were of high intensity or included a specific motivational component. Although there is some evidence demonstrating long-term effectiveness of multicomponent lifestyle interventions in the workplace targeting obesity, more research is needed into the best methods of conducting these interventions. This study provides evidence that could be used as the basis for implementing similar programs.