The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61098

Evan Atlantis, BSc¹, Chin-Moi Chow, MSc PhD¹, Adrienne Kirby, MSc², and Maria Fiatarone Singh, MD, FRACP¹. (1) School of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Sydney, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cumberland Campus, East street, PO Box 170 Lidcombe, Sydney, NSW 1825, Australia, 61 40 77 32 36, E.Atlantis@fhs.usyd.edu.au, (2) NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Locked Bag 77, Camperdown, Sydney, Australia

Introduction: The Australian Burden of Disease study identified obesity and physical inactivity as leading risk factors that caused disability adjusted-life years (DALYs) for 1996. This study investigates the effectiveness of a 24-week exercise plus behavior modification worksite health promotion (WHP) program on improving body composition.

Method: Star City casino employees (~4000) were invited to participate resulting in 73 (female=37, male=36)volunteers. Physiological data collected at week 0, 12 and 24 include waist circumference (WC), Body Mass Index (BMI) and predicted VO₂max. Subjects were randomized into either Group A (treatment 24-weeks), or Group B (wait-list control 24-weeks). The treatment arm included high intensity aerobic (minimum 3 sessions/week >75% HRmax, ³20 minutes) and resistance training, plus evidence-based behavior modification strategies including dietary counseling.

Results: Baseline means (SD) were for WC 88.3 (16.9), BMI 27.2 (6.7) and predicted VO₂max 35.9 (10.9), with 44% and 45% of the sample classified at increased risk for disease, WC>90cm and overweight BMI>25.9, respectively. At 24-weeks univariate analysis of covariance found a significant change in means (SD) between groups for WC –4.1cm (7.3), (p=0.008) and BMI –1.1 (3.2), (p=0.049) in Group A, compared to changes in WC –1.0cm (3.4) and BMI 0.0 (1.1) in Group B. In Group A predicted VO₂max also increased (p<0.001).

Discussion: This study demonstrates the efficacy of an exercise-based intervention for improving whole and regional body composition in a heterogeneous employee population. Future research needs to contrast the long-term efficacy of this intervention within overweight and obese populations with other interventions.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Evaluate the efficacy of exercise-based WHP for improving body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness, considering low employee participation rates.
• 2. Discuss future WHP strategies to counter the increasing burden of health care expenditure incurred by employers.

Keywords: Exercise, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.