Thesis Presentation

1. Thesis Presentation Michelle Koford Summer 2014

2. A retrospective study of the effects an incentive based fitness and well being intervention has on body fat loss and cardiovascular fitness at a corporate work site

3. Topics Discussed • Background • Purpose • Research Questions • Methods • Participants • Procedures • Instrumentation • Analysis

4. Topics Discussed (cont.) • Results • Discussion • Limitations • Conclusion

5. Background • In recent years, there has been a remarkable increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity, as more than 66% of adults are considered overweight and 35% are considered obese • Obesity is related to many chronic conditions including cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer • Obesity is also linked to the current rise in health care costs • Multiple factors contribute to overweight and obesity • Poor Diet • Inactivity

6. Background (cont.) • Barriers to physical activity include: • Lack of time • Lack of self-motivation • Lack of confidence in ability to be physically active • Lack of support • Lack of facilities to perform physical activity • Working in a sedentary occupation

7. Background (cont.) • Need for the creation and implementation of well-being interventions that focus on promoting healthy weight and preventing diseases related to obesity • Work site has potential as a location for these interventions

8. Background (cont.) • By reducing body weight by 5-10% during a six month period you can lower your risk for CVD and other chronic conditions • Increasing physical activity can have benefits for lowering the risk of many chronic conditions including CVD, type 2 diabetes, breast and colon cancer, and depression

9. Background (cont.) • Worksites have been shown to be effective for the implementation of well-being interventions • In a study done by Milani, R. V., & Lavie, C. J. a multi-component worksite intervention was implemented based on cardiac rehab and exercise training • ½ of participants that were originally categorized as having high-risk health status dropped down to low-risk from pre-to post test

10. Background (cont.) • In another study done by Proper et al. focusing on behavioral changes in physical activity, the intervention resulted in an increase in physical activity in the intervention group compared to the control

11. Background (cont.) • Unsuccessful studies: • In one study done by French et al. focusing on environmental factors of a worksite, it was reported that there was no significant change in BMI or physical activity from pre- to post-test • Another study done by Linde et al. focused on environmental changes and the prevention of weight gain, found that there was no significant change in body mass in intervention groups compared to control

12. Purpose • The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a weight loss intervention among employees at a corporate worksite.

13. Research Questions • Was there a significant change in body fat of employees from pre- to post-test? • Was there a significant change in aerobic fitness between pre- and post-test? • Was there a significant change in resting heart rate from pre- to post-test? • Was there a significant difference in body fat percentage lost based on sex and age?

14. Methods Participants • Current employees of Proctor & Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio • To be included had to work for P&G Brand, “Olay”, currently be not engaging in physical activity regularly, and be willing to participate. • Participants were selected on a first come first serve basis with a cap at 50 participants.

15. Methods (cont.) Procedures • Intervention was done at an onsite gym • Intervention spanned 10 weeks with two additional weeks for pre- and post-test • The intervention included a one time meeting with an RD, 10 personal training sessions, and weekly nutrition emails. • An optional component included participating in a 5K race • This intervention was incentive based with two winners receiving a prize for greatest improvement in physical fitness and body fat percentage loss.

16. Methods (cont.) Instrumentation • Pre- and post-testing included the following tests: • Resting Heart Rate • Resting Blood Pressure • Body Composition • Cardiovascular Assessment • Muscular Strength Assessment • Flexibility Assessment

17. Methods (cont.) Analysis • Data was analyzed using SPSS statistical software package (Version 21.0) • Frequencies, distributions, means, ranges, and standard deviations will be used to describe employees’ demographic characteristics. • Paired sample t-tests and independent sample t –tests will be used to answer the research questions. • A priori, the alpha level will be set at .05.

18. Demographics • A total of 49 employees participated in this study. • The age of participants ranged from 22 to 58 years (Table 1) with a mean age of 37.69 10.264. • Of those that participated, 15 (30.6%) were male and 34 (69.4%) were female. • Of those who participated in pretest measures 91.83% completed the study.

19. Results From pretest to post test: • Mean body composition dropped from 30.31 7.944 to 29.07 7.372 (t= 6.217, df = 43, p < 0.001). • Mean Resting Heart Rate changed from 72.82 10.599 to 71.31 9.830 (t= 5.079, df = 44, p < 0.001). • Mean cardiovascular endurance changed from 100.16 19.069 to 93.38 16.074 (t=6.523, df = 44, p< 0.001).

20. Results (cont.) Comparing Sexes Comparing Age • Females (M SD = -1.5107 1.41608) lost .8514 Ib. more then men (M SD = -0.6593 1.41608) during the duration of the study (t =2.062, df = 42, p< .045). • Participants ages 36 yearsand older (M SD = -1.5414  .99877) had a higher weight loss of 0.6032 lb. compared to those who were 22 to 35 years of age (M SD = -.9382 1.54738), (t=1.536, df = 42, p< 0.132).

21. Discussion Results indicated: • Significant decrease in body fat from pretest to posttest among participants. • Significant increase in the cardiovascular fitness of participants from pretest to posttest. • Significant decrease in resting heart rate from pretest to posttest. • In addition, when comparing differences is body fat loss among sexes there was a significant difference between males and females.

22. Discussion (cont.) • Past studies are similar to this study in proving that worksites have potential as being a successful site for weight loss. • What this study shows that past studies do not focus on is a significant change in body fat, compared to past studies which focus on change in weight lost or BMI.

23. Discussion (cont.) • The studies findings on significant changes in cardiovascular fitness and RHR are important to note as few studies have reported on these changes in the past • Improved cardiovascular fitness can benefit to decreasing CVD risk factors and decreasing cardiovascular mortality • Lower RHR has been linked to cardiovascular fitness and improved cardiac function

24. Discussion (cont.) • Regarding sexes females lost more body fat compared to males. • Could be due to more females then males (in study) or females could be more motivated when incentives are involved • No significant difference between age groups in body fat lost • Although it was not significant, the age group that ranged from 36-58 lost morebody fatthan the group whose age ranged from 22-35. • Factors related to this could be that the older age group had more weight to lose, may have more concerned with nutrition, or were more responsive to the study intervention.

25. Discussion (cont.) Limitations • The study lasted 10 weeks and had no long-term posttest follow up • The study had a limited number of participants, 49 total. • Unclear if results were based only on exercise or if diet was also involved in the results • Lastly, the study was strictly volunteer.

26. Discussion (cont.) Conclusion • This study demonstrates that a wellbeing intervention at a corporate worksite can successfully impact body fat and cardiovascular fitness. • Training with a fitness professional within a corporate fitness center just one time per week can affect an individual’s health significantly. • Future research is necessary to examine long-term effects of the intervention. • Future research may also include additional variables regarding changes in cardiovascular fitness and resting heart rate with in the worksite population.