Health Outcomes | Obesity Evaluation Measures

Health outcomes measures for obesity prevention and control^1-9

The effectiveness of obesity prevention and control programs depends on the intensity of program effort and the use of multiple interventions. A rule of thumb is that the more programs implemented together as a package or campaign, the more successful the interventions will be.

Baseline

• Determine levels of employee overweight/obesity from employee health survey or health risk appraisal. Examples include:
  • Determine percent of employees who are overweight or obese using the body mass index (BMI)
  • If feasible, conduct biometric screening of overweight/obesity for employees. Test examples include bioelectrical impedance testing or anthropometric measurement with calipers  
  • Physical activity and nutrition workplace programs play a key part in addressing obesity. For in-depth discussion of the evaluation of employee physical activity and nutrition levels, see their evaluation descriptions
• Determine baseline percentage of employees with health conditions affected by overweight/obesity including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol
  • The key health concern of obesity is that overweight and obesity increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol which in turn increase the rates of heart attack and stroke. For in-depth discussion of the evaluation of interventions for these risk factors and diseases, see their evaluation descriptions
• •Determine employee knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about overweight/obesity
  • Evaluate employee’s current knowledge of the health benefits of physical activity, good nutrition, and maintaining a healthy weight
  • Measure employee’s knowledge of current physical activity and nutrition guidelines
  • Measure employee’s knowledge of current overweight/obesity guidelines
  • Determine the number of employees who report they want to lose weight
  • Assess employee awareness of existing workplace overweight/obesity programs, policies and benefits
• Number of employees currently screened and referred for and receiving clinical obesity evaluation and treatment including counseling, weight loss medications and bariatric surgery (if covered)

Process

• Periodic repeat of baseline measures

Outcome

• Assess changes in employee overweight/obesity such as:
  • Changes in the percentage of employees who are overweight/obese
  • Changes in the percentage of employees reaching physical activity and dietary guidelines
• Assess changes in health conditions affected by overweight/obesity including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol
  • Compare changes of program participants before education and other programs are initiated and after operation of these programs
• Assess changes in employee knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about overweight/obesity ◦Evaluate changes in employee’s knowledge of the health benefits of physical activity, good nutrition, and maintaining a healthy weight
  • Measure changes in employee’s knowledge of current physical activity and nutrition guidelines
  • Measure changes in employee’s knowledge of current overweight/obesity guidelines
  • Determine changes in the number of employees who report they want to lose weight
  • Assess changes in employee awareness of workplace overweight/obesity programs, policies, and benefits
• Assess changes in the number of employees receiving clinical obesity services (if covered)