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Weighing up the evidence: a systematic review of the effectiveness of workplace interventions to tackle socio-economic inequalities in obesity

Cairns, J.M.; Bambra, C.; Hillier-Brown, F.C.; Moore, H.J.; Summerbell, C.D.

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Authors

J.M. Cairns

C. Bambra

F.C. Hillier-Brown

H.J. Moore



Contributors

Frances Hillier-Brown frances.hillier-brown@durham.ac.uk
Other

F Hillier-Brown wdst36@durham.ac.uk
Other

Abstract

Background: Addressing socio-economic inequalities in obesity is a public health priority and the workplace is seen as a potential health promotion site. However, there is a lack of evidence on what works. This article systematically reviews studies of the effects of workplace interventions on socio-economic inequalities in obesity. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched for published or unpublished experimental and observational evaluation studies. Nine electronic databases were searched as well as websites and bibliographies. Included studies were data extracted, quality assessed and narratively synthesized. Results: Eighteen studies were included of which 14 examined behavioural interventions and 4 mixed or environmental ones. While most studies (n = 12) found no effects on inequalities in obesity—and a minority found increases (n = 3), there was also some evidence of potentially effective workplace interventions (n = 3)especially in terms of physical activity interventions targeted at lower occupational groups. Conclusion: There is experimental evidence that workplace delivered physical activity interventions have the potential to reduce inequalities in obesity by targeting lower occupational groups. However, overall, the evidence base is small, largely from the USA, and of a low quality. More high-quality, experimental study designs are required.

Citation

Cairns, J., Bambra, C., Hillier-Brown, F., Moore, H., & Summerbell, C. (2015). Weighing up the evidence: a systematic review of the effectiveness of workplace interventions to tackle socio-economic inequalities in obesity. Journal of Public Health, 37(4), 659-670. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdu077

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Dec 1, 2015
Deposit Date Oct 15, 2014
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Journal of Public Health
Print ISSN 1741-3842
Electronic ISSN 1741-3850
Publisher Oxford University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 37
Issue 4
Pages 659-670
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdu077
Keywords Obesity, Workplace, Interventions, Socio-economic status (SES), Inequalities.

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Copyright Statement
This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Journal of Public Health following peer review. The version of record Cairns, J.M., Bambra, C., Hillier-Brown, F.C., Moore, H.J. and Summerbell, C.D. (2015) 'Weighing up the evidence : a systematic review of the effectiveness of workplace interventions to tackle socio-economic inequalities in obesity.', Journal of public health., 37 (4). pp. 659-670 is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdu077.




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