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.