Yu J, et al. - The impact of engagement with a web-based, physical activity tracking program on changes in individuals' biometric outcomes was assessed in an employer population, longitudinally. Data reported that participation was significantly associated with a reduction of 0.275 in BMI in the post-period but the program did not have a statistically significant impact on cholesterol or blood pressure. This investigation yielded findings that were broadly consistent with the existing literature on changes in biometric outcomes from workplace initiatives promoting increased physical activity. Employers should have modest expectations about the potential health benefits of such programs.

Methods

• Researchers performed this study including active employees and adult dependents continuously enrolled in an eligible health plan and who had completed at least two biometric screenings (n = 36,882 person-years with 11,436 unique persons) between 2011 and 2014.
• They estimated the impact of participation in the physical activity tracking application on BMI, total cholesterol, and blood pressure, using difference-in-differences (DID) regression.

Results

• Findings demonstrated that participation was significantly associated with a reduction of 0.275 in BMI in the post-period, relative to the comparison group, representing a 1% change from baseline BMI.
• Researchers observed that the program did not statistically significantly impacted cholesterol or blood pressure.
• In addition, sensitivity checks revealed slightly larger BMI reductions among participants with higher intensity of tracking activity and in the period following the employer's shift to an outcomes-based incentive design.