Efficacy of a workplace health promotion intervention in nutrition: preliminary results of a randomized controlled trial

The aim of our study was to evaluate the improvement in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours achieved through both a Mediterranean diet and physical activity as a result of a health promotion programme. In addition, the variation in body mass index (BMI) among the different groups in the trial was evaluated. A four-arm multicentre randomized clinical trial was conducted involving employees of the Teaching Hospital Policlinico Umberto I and Sapienza University of Rome who were found to be at least overweight (BMI ≥ 25.00) during their health surveillance check-up. All participants were prescribed a diet that was combined, depending on the group in the trial, with viewing educational videos on proper nutrition and/or physical activity. The clinical trial was listed on the ISRCTN registry with study registration number ISRCTN18283628. Sixty-one employees completed the trial. All groups experienced weight loss, with the best results for the group that was instructed to watch both informational videos. In general, there were clear changes in eating habits and a decrease in the time spent walking but an increase in vigorous physical activity. These are preliminary results. This programme led to a significant reduction in body weight and improvements in eating habits, highlighting the potential of structured workplace interventions.