One‐year weight loss maintenance outcomes following a worksite‐based weight reduction program among Japanese men with cardiovascular risk factors

OBJECTIVES: Worksite‐based programs present a simple and effective approach to facilitate weight reduction in employees. Despite the importance of 1‐year weight loss maintenance, studies have generally focused on the short‐term effects of weight reduction programs. In addition, little is known about the long‐term weight maintenance outcomes in Asian populations. We examined the long‐term maintenance effects of a worksite‐based weight reduction program among Japanese men with cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: The study sample comprised 58 overweight men with cardiovascular risk factors who had voluntarily participated in a randomized crossover trial involving a 3‐month weight reduction program. Participants were followed up for 1 year after the trial concluded, and both groups were merged for the analysis. We compared the changes in body weight before the post‐trial follow‐up and after 12 months to examine the long‐term maintenance effects of the program. Changes in other cardiovascular risk factors (eg, waist circumference, blood pressure, lipid measures, and diabetes‐related measures) were also examined. RESULTS: Both groups of study participants achieved weight loss during the weight reduction program. Total 53 participants (91.4%) completed the 12‐month post‐trial follow‐up. There were no significant changes in mean body weight (mean: −0.11, 95% confidence interval: −0.7‐0.49 kg) and other cardiovascular risk factors between the beginning and end of the follow‐up period. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the worksite‐based weight reduction program not only enabled short‐term weight loss, but that the participants were able to successfully maintain their weight for 1 year after the program without any supplementary interventions.