A Maintenance Program for the Be Fit Employee Wellness Program

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Maintenance Program for the Be Fit Employee Wellness Program at Massachusetts General Hospital

This research study is being done: 1) to determine if the MGH Be Fit program helps employees to change their nutrition and exercise habits and lower their risk for chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes and 2) to determine if a maintenance program following the Be Fit 12 week program will help employees to keep the positive health changes.

The main objectives of this trial are to determine if employees who participate in the Be Fit 12 week program and are randomized to a 9 month maintenance program are more likely to maintain weight loss, physical activity level, and reduction of other clinical risk factors for disease compared to the control group. Secondary objectives are to determine if employees who participate in the maintenance intervention have fewer chronic diseases related to lifestyle factors and lower health care costs at 3 years.

Inclusion Criteria:

• MGH (benefited) employees who enroll in the Be Fit program
• Able to commit to 1 year of active research participation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not enrolled in the Be Fit program
• Decline participation in the research study
• Withdrawal from the Be Fit 12 week program prior to completion
• Women who are currently pregnant or suspect they may be pregnant
• Plans to leave MGH within 3 months from enrolling in Be Fit