Purpose: To examine the association between worksite social support and changes in diet, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI).
Design: Cohort analysis of an underlying randomized, controlled weight gain prevention worksite trial: Promoting Activity and Changes in Eating.
Setting: The trial occurred in the greater Seattle area.
Subjects: Baseline and follow-up data were obtained on a nested cohort of employees (n = 958-1078) from 33 small- to medium-sized worksites.
Measures: Worksite social support, diet, physical activity, and BMI measures were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire.
Analysis: To adjust for multilevel data and multiple time points, we used generalized estimating equations and logistic mixed models.
Results: Higher baseline worksite social support was associated with greater changes in fruit and vegetable intake (p = .001; summary food-frequency questions).
Conclusion: This study does not support a conclusive relationship between worksite social support and health behavior change.
Keywords: Body Mass Index; Health focus: fitness/physical activity, nutrition, social health; Manuscript format: research; Nutritional Status; Outcome measure: behavioral; Physical Activity; Research purpose: relationship testing, descriptive; Setting: workplace; Social Support; Strategy: skill building/behavior change, policy, built environment; Study design: cohort analysis of underlying randomized controlled trial; Target population age: adults; Target population circumstances: low/medium/high income level, greater Seattle area, mostly White; Worksite Prevention Research.