Obesity Pilot Program

Categories: Diabetes Prevention,Promote Health and Wellness

Beginning in March 2007, Blue Cross of Idaho conducted a 12-month obesity pilot program that focused on fostering changes in the behavior of obese employees that would lead to healthier lifestyles through weight loss, improved health measures and an improved quality of life. Thirty people with body mass indexes (BMI) between 30 and 39.9 participated in the program. They were taught to eat nutritious foods and effectively exercise multiple times a week and were all assigned a health coach and personal trainer to support them throughout the program.

Ten of the 30 participants completed the 12-month program, and many of them rated their physical functioning, energy level, emotional well-being, pain level and general health significantly better at the end of the program. Eighty percent of these participants decreased their BMI.  Participants also showed decreases in blood pressure, fasting glucose and weight loss.