A Retrospective Analysis of Employee Education Level on Weight Loss Following Participation in an Online, Corporately Sponsored, Weight Loss Program

To examine weight loss characteristics relative to education for employees participating in an online weight loss program. METHODS: We examined percent weight loss (primary outcome), the achievement of clinical cut-points (secondary outcome) by class attendance, and education strata (High School and Trade through Post-Graduate). RESULTS: Overall, the pooled cohort lost a significant percentage of their starting weight (–2.05%, 95% CI, –2.07, –2.04). Women (–1.95%, 95% CI, –1.97, –1.94) lost significantly less than men (–2.38%, 95% CI, –2.141, –2.35). Those attending less than or equal to seven classes lost significantly less weight (0.75% [95% CI, –0.77, –0.74] vs more than or equal to eight classes attendees [–3.50%, 95% CI, –3.52, –3.48]). Class attendance was significantly correlated to weight loss (r = 0.57, P < 0.001) and was consistent across education strata. CONCLUSIONS: Online weight loss programming is effective across education strata and class participation is essential to participant success.