GCC
Pre-2007 GCC Studies
Background:
As the number of office hours worked increases, the level of physical inactivity increases, as does the likelihood of having an inadequate diet. Further, adults now
spend approximately one third of their waking hours at work. Given these associations, workplaces have been seen as an opportunity to combat the increasing problems of
overweight and obesity.
Objectives:
The Global Corporate Challenge (GCC) Medical Health Studies were designed to provide an objective measure of the health of the corporate world and to analyse the
effectiveness of a workplace physical activity intervention programme (GCC programme) to increase physical activity and promote improvements in health. A key focus for
these studies was to assess whether participation in the GCC reduced the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
2006 GCC Medical Health Study:
- n=144 office workers (from a total of 10,055 participants in GCC)
- measured reduction in risk of developing diabetes and CHD through changes in BMI & waist circumference before and after the GCC event
Results
- Step average post the event was 12897
- 32%
in women at a increased risk of diabetes and heart disease by trial end23%
for men - 52% in women who were at "high risk" of diabetes and heart disease by trial end
- 56% for men
- Average weight for women was 6kg (men
5kg) - Average in waist circumference for women was 8 cm (men 5cm)
- Average in BMI for women was 2.2 kg/m2 (men 2.0 kg/m2)
- Of the 144 participants, 29 had lost 8kg or more
- The average weight loss for those who lost > 8Kg was 16.2 kgs
- The key factor that contributed to this reduction in weight was the change (increase) in step count before and after the event