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

Objective: 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.