Health Risk Factor Modification Predicts Incidence of Diabetes in an Employee Population

• Authors: Lori Rolando, Vanderbilt University; Daniel W. Byrne, Vanderbilt University; Paul W. McGown, Vanderbilt University; Ron Goetzel, Emory University; Tom Elasy, Vanderbilt University; Mary I. Yarbrough, Vanderbilt University
• Journal Title: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• Volume: Volume 55, Number 4
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins | 2013-04, Pages 410-415
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0b013e31827cbaec
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Objective: To understand risk factor modification effect on Type 2 Diabetes incidence in a workforce population. Methods: Annual Health Risk Assessment (HRA) data (n=3125) in years 1 through 4 were used to predict diabetes development in years 5 through 8. Results: Employees who reduced their BMI from ≥30 to < 30 decreased their chances of developing diabetes (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.93), while those who became obese increased their diabetes risk (OR 8.85, 95% CI 2.53 to 31.0). Conclusions: Weight reduction observed over a long period can result in clinically important reductions in diabetes incidence. Workplace health promotion programs may prevent diabetes among workers by encouraging weight loss and adoption of healthy lifestyle habits.