A telephonic coaching program has more impact when body mass index is over 35.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to test the theory that two indicators of risk (body mass index (BMI) and overall medical risk at baseline) are correlated with weight change in a telephone employer-provided coaching program.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study with assessments at baseline and six months after program completion.

SETTING

A large manufacturing employer in the United States.

SUBJECTS

Adult employees and dependents enrolled in a voluntary weight loss program.

INTERVENTION

The weight program was based on the Self-Management of Care model. Coaching was based on collaborative goal-setting and included telephonic self-management health education. Clients were staged according to readiness to change.

MEASURES

Weight change (in kilograms), percent weight change, BMI, health risk indices, readiness to change, and demographic variables.

ANALYSIS

Age, gender, race, education, income, total health risk, readiness to change, and baseline body mass index (BMI) were included as model covariates in a multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

Individuals with a BMI >35 at baseline lost more weight than those with normal weight (p = 0.001). Total health risk at baseline was not significantly related to weight loss at p < 0.05.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the greatest weight loss could be achieved in this telephone coaching program by targeting morbidly obese employees.