Topic: Obesity, Nutrition/Diet, Physical Activity
Target Population: Adults, Employers
Sector: Community-Based
This program is offered to employers and health plan administrators and intends to impact employees and healthcare plan members.
Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less® (ESMMWL), a community-based, online, weight-control program, is designed to encourage participants to practice healthier lifestyle behaviors, such as learning to pursue healthy weight loss, maintain a suitable weight, and increase self-confidence in choosing healthy foods and engaging in exercise.
In pretest/posttest studies of an in-person version of the program, participants significantly improved their body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, weight, and confidence in their abilities to eat healthy and be physically active. The online version of the program was evaluated in comparison to the in-person version. The study found that online participants had significantly greater reductions in BMI, weight, and waist circumference compared to in-person participants. Confidence to engage in physical activity was significantly greater in the in-person participants compared to the online participants. No differences were observed between groups for confidence to eat healthy. A randomized controlled trial of the online program was conducted. Compared to a wait-list control group, participants in the online program lost significantly more weight, had significantly greater reductions in BMI, and experienced greater increases in mindfulness. However, no differences were observed between groups for their confidence to eat healthy or be physically active. Participants who attended 10 or more of the 15 online sessions maintained their weight loss 6 months after the program ended. It is unclear if the program effects are sustained in participants who complete fewer sessions.
lasses are held online with a live instructor, and participants set a weight goal, track their progress, and communicate with their instructor through an online portal. Each participant is mailed a workbook and instructions for completing their beginning and ending measurements. One-on-one support is offered outside of class. Each session includes the following components:
In-person, onsite classes are available in select counties in North Carolina. Please email administrator@esmmweighless.com for more information.
Participants who have successfully completed ESMMWL can register for the 24-week online Eat Smart, Move More, Weight Less 2 program. Please visit https://esmmweighless.com/weigh-less-2/ to learn more.
ESMMWL was released in 2007 in North Carolina in response to a statewide obesity prevention campaign that was launched in 2001, and over 22,000 participants have enrolled in the program since July 2009.
Instructors are Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, and training is required for these individuals. For more information, please use details in the Contact section.
Considerations for implementing this program include acquiring buy-in from employers and health plan administrators; developing a marketing plan to advertise the program; securing facilitators who have the education and background specified above and ensuring they receive training; recruiting participants and obtaining their buy-in; and ensuring participants have access to a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone with internet access.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing ESMMWL, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
This program consists of 15-weekly, online sessions that are 50 to 60 minutes each. Lunchtime, late afternoon, and evening classes are held with a live instructor, and participants can choose their preferred class day and time.
Businesses and health plan administrators enroll in the program, which allows them to purchase online spots or seats in bulk and receive special group pricing. Please use details in the Contact section for more information.
To move ESMMWL to the Effective category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence at least two additional evaluations must be conducted that demonstrate sustained, positive outcomes. At least one of these studies must be conducted independently of the program developer.
The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less by visiting https://esmmweighless.com/contact-us/
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