Impact of COVID-19 on a worksite weight loss program for employees with overweight and obesity.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to be negatively associated with physical activity engagement, adherence to healthy diet, and weight management among people with obesity. The current study examined COVID-19-related changes in weight, physical activity (PA), and diet among employees with obesity or overweight who participated in Vibrant Lives (VL), a worksite weight loss program. Methods: School district employees participated in the 6-month VL weight loss program and were categorized into non-COVID-era participants and COVID-era participants. Participants completed questionnaires about PA and dietary intake at baseline and follow-up. COVID-era participants reported the effects of pandemic on their behaviors. Changes in weight, PA, and diet were compared between groups using multilevel linear mixed models and logistic regression models. Results: A total of 266 participants (non-COVID, n=173; COVID, n=93) were included. Significant weight loss (non-COVID, -2.3 kg vs. COVID, -1.3 kg) and increases in moderate-to-vigorous PA minutes (non-COVID, 48.7 min vs. COVID, 61.5 min) were observed associated with the program, but no significant differences in changes between the groups were found. Compared to non-COVID participants, COVID participants decreased fast food consumption (P=.008) and increased sugar-sweetened beverage intake (P=.016). Higher frequency of snacking and overeating were reported as barriers to a healthy diet. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic was negatively associated with healthful dietary behaviors. The information obtained from participants regarding the reasons for their pandemic-related changes in diet may help identify strategies to encourage healthier behaviors and weight management among people who have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Impact of COVID‐19 on a worksite weight loss program for employees with overweight and obesity

Objective The COVID‐19 pandemic has been shown to be negatively associated with physical activity engagement, adherence to healthy diet, and weight management among people with obesity. The current study examined COVID‐19‐related changes in weight, physical activity (PA), and diet among employees with obesity or overweight who participated in Vibrant Lives (VL), a worksite weight loss program. Methods School district employees participated in the 6‐month VL weight loss program and were categorized into non‐COVID‐era participants and COVID‐era participants. Participants completed questionnaires about PA and dietary intake at baseline and follow‐up. COVID‐era participants reported the effects of pandemic on their behaviors. Changes in weight, PA, and diet were compared between groups using multilevel linear mixed models and logistic regression models. Results A total of 266 participants (non‐COVID, n=173;COVID, n=93) were included. Significant weight loss (non‐COVID, −2.3 kg vs. COVID, −1.3 kg) and increases in moderate‐to‐vigorous PA minutes (non‐COVID, 48.7 min vs. COVID, 61.5 min) were observed associated with the program, but no significant differences in changes between the groups were found. Compared to non‐COVID participants, COVID participants decreased fast food consumption (P=.008) and increased sugar‐sweetened beverage intake (P=.016). Higher frequency of snacking and overeating were reported as barriers to a healthy diet. Conclusion The COVID‐19 pandemic was negatively associated with healthful dietary behaviors. The information obtained from participants regarding the reasons for their pandemic‐related changes in diet may help identify strategies to encourage healthier behaviors and weight management among people who have been negatively affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

A Qualitative Examination of COVID-19's Impacts on Physical Activity and Perceptions of Remote Delivery Interventions.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic is correlated with decreased physical activity (PA). Transitioning to remote work may impact people's acceptability and preferences for remotely delivered behavioral interventions, including PA. The objective was to examine perceptions of COVID-19 impacts on PA engagement and motivation, and perspectives related to remotely delivered PA interventions. DESIGN: Cross-sectional small-group interview. SETTING: Harris County, Texas. Participants: Insufficiently active, overweight/obese adults (16 healthy adults [aged 25-52 years], and 7 cancer survivors [aged 50-74 years]). METHOD: Group discussion was guided by semi-structured questions. Audio-transcribed data (278 pages) was analyzed using Braun and Clarke's process centering identification, analysis, organization, description, and reports. RESULTS: Overall, participants expressed a decreased level of PA due to the pandemic. Difficulties (e.g., care-taking activities, working from home, and safety concerns) negatively affected motivation. Participants indicated high acceptability of remotely delivered PA interventions, with advantages of virtual technology features (e.g., did not have to maintain a gym membership) and even accountability in maintaining a PA routine (e.g., using virtual groups to engage in community support). CONCLUSION: Participants described COVID-19 negatively affects access to PA opportunities yet also expressed willingness to engage in remotely delivered PA interventions instead of in-person programs because of their COVID-19 experiences. Remote interventions can greatly increase accessibility and offer opportunities to provide personalized motivation and accountability that people need to be more physically active.

Changes in physical activity associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals with overweight and obesity: an interrupted time series analysis with historical controls.

The objective of this study was to investigate changes in physical activity patterns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals with overweight and obesity who were participating in a school district worksite weight loss program. We conducted comparative design interrupted time series analyses on physical activity device (Fitbit) data from the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school years (N = 211). We administered a questionnaire in 2020 to supplement device data. After the stay-at-home orders in 2020, participants tended to decrease their weekly step count (B = -1315.7, SE = 627.7, p = .045), decrease their weekly "Lightly active minutes" (B = -39.1, SE = 12.6, p = .007), and increase their weekly "Very active minutes" compared to their counterparts from the year before (B = 7.6, SE = 3.2, p = .020). Decreased motivation, gym closures, and safety concerns were cited as barriers to physical activity. Having more time and health consciousness were cited as facilitators of physical activity. The COVID-19 pandemic was related to changes in physical activity in both positive and negative ways, revealing opportunities to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors in this population. More research is needed to determine optimal approaches to health promotion in the post-COVID-19 era.