An Observational Study of an Employer Intervention for Children's Healthy Weight Behaviors

Abstract

The results of this short-term observational study suggest that healthy weight behaviors in children, adolescents, and parents can be improved by using a Web-based intervention linked with a cash incentive. The results also show that employers can activate parents and support a role for employers in community-based strategies for obesity prevention in children. Experimental designs with biometric data would strengthen the suggestion of positive impact.

Systematic Review of Effective Strategies for Reducing Screen Time Among Young Children

“…In de Silva‐Sanigorski, media use was significantly lower in the intervention as compared to a control community after a community‐wide program for children <5 years that trained early childhood workers and provided resources to parents and teachers (70). In Sepulveda et al ., 7% more parents who completed an online parent education program offered to employees of a large corporation were more likely, after the program, to report that their children watched <1 h of screen time per day (71).…”

Impact Of Childhood Obesity On Employers

“…The Children's Health Rebate program gives parents incentives to promote behavior changes and family activities in food management, physical activity, and personal screen time. 45 Employees enroll voluntarily; using Web-based technology, they undertake assessments and develop action plans. These involve family-specific activities related to food purchase and preparation, screen-time behavior, and physical activity preferences and levels.…”

Exploring Parental Perceptions of Self-Efficacy, Role Modeling and Factors Contributing to Family Health Practices from an Employer-Provided Family Weight Management Program: A Mixed Methods Study

“…park and recreation, and health) departments, employers are not typically identified as potential partners in offering family wellness programs even though evidence has shown organizational health and wellness interventions involving families can be effective in promoting healthy behaviors (Sepulveda, Lu, Sill, Young, & Edington, 2010;Sepulveda, Tait et al, 2010;Sorenson et al, 1999). A national worksite health promotion survey found only 6.9% of employers offered comprehensive worksite wellness programming and it often targeted only the employee in their health promotion efforts (Linnan et al, 2008).…”

“…Choosing appropriate interventions is a critical step in developing and delivering a results-oriented wellness program (Goetzel et al, 2007;Sepulveda, Lu et al, 2010;Sepulveda, Tait et al, 2010). The activities implemented in the wellness program should reflect the overall wellness goals, the interests of the employees and their dependents, and the major health risks that are prevalent within the specific population (Goetzel et al, 2007;Golley et al, 2010).…”

“…Making activity decisions part of the family routine and having fun while doing so may help improve family member physical activity. Research has concluded that adult role modeling and co-participation in family-focused activities can promote behavior change and that family-centered collaborations are valuable (Sepulveda, Lu et al, 2010).…”