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Table 1 Summary of formative work to inform intervention adaptation

From: Development of a scalable weight loss intervention for low-income workers through adaptation of interactive obesity treatment approach (iOTA)

Method

Participants

Topic

Key Findings

Survey [49]

Housekeepers, food service workers, patient care technicians, registration clerks, medical records clerks, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers

N = 219

Diet, physical activity, general health, health-related work productivity, commuting, work schedule, work culture and organization, hours worked, dietary history, attitudes toward behavior change, effects of work environment on eating and exercise habits, and current participation in workplace programs

Among this population, 47% had BMI (Body Mass Index) > 30; 64% report trying to lose weight; 27% report 20+ minutes of vigorous exercise more than 2 days per week; 62% sometimes or often drink more than 16 oz of sugary drinks a day.

Key informant interview [48]

Human resource managers and wellness committee members

N = 5

Barriers and facilitators to implementing wellness initiatives

Communication difficulties are a major barrier to implementing wellness efforts (e.g., many workers were unaware of the wellness initiatives offered by their employer).

Focus groups 1 [48]

Housekeepers, patient care technicians, unit secretaries

N = 4 groups; 20 individuals

Barriers and facilitators to participation in wellness initiatives, healthy eating, and physical activity

Communication barriers to participation and healthy eating: night-shift workers had less access to health programs or to healthy food choices, work schedules caused meals to be hurried, and food brought for potlucks and employee appreciation did not provide healthy choices.

Focus groups 2

Patient care technicians, administrative assistants, housekeepers, food service workers, patient transport workers

N = 4 groups; 13 individuals

Feasibility and acceptability of communication channels; current eating and physical activity habits at work, preliminary message testing

Text messaging feasible and preferred. Most people purchased food from the hospital cafeteria and/or ate free food brought in by others. Most had physically demanding jobs and did not seek out additional activity during break time. The original intended name of the intervention received negative feedback.

Focus groups 3

Food service workers, housekeepers, patient care technicians, registration clerks, schedulers

N = 3 groups and 2 one-on-one interviews; 24 individuals

Information to refine workplace goals and feedback on methods and logistics of delivering iOTA in a workplace setting; feedback about physical activity self-monitoring

Refinement needed to goals and message wording to enhance relevance and understanding.