The prevalence of preventable, diet-related chronic medical conditions, particularly obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, have reached epidemic proportions in the US. Workplace interventions that enable employee support, accountability, and self-care are needed. This presentation outlines a pilot project using a virtual 90-day comprehensive program that integrates food, nutrition, and lifestyle changes with medical education to help participants improve or reverse chronic metabolic health conditions and weight challenges.
• 18 men were recruited to participate.
• 83.3% of men were obese and 16.7 % were overweight.
• Mean Weight loss was 17.7 ± 10.5 lbs.
• Mean BMI change was 2.4 ± 1.3 kg/m2. All changes were statistically significant.
The intervention is being expanded at Meharry to include faculty, staff, and students (men and women) for a period of 1 year. The expanded program will also measure changes in emotional health (depression, chronic stress/anxiety, cognitive changes) and the impact of trust on health outcomes.
Learning Objectives
After completing this session, participants will be able to:
1. List the key components of metabolic health that contribute to chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.
2. Describe the impact of a virtual, cohort-based education intervention to enable employee self-care for chronic medical conditions by providing support, accountability, and a sense of community.
3. Determine how a virtual lifestyle education program can build trust with the participants that will improve outcomes for metabolic health and emotional health concerns.1 CECH Available