Indiana University research at the American College of Sports Medicine annual conference

The study participants represented a general population, not a clinical population.

Frey will be available to discuss the study on Friday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Hall B. Information about the study is embargoed until this time. Coauthors include Chien-Tsung Lee and Yong-Kyeom Yoo, also from IU Bloomington. Frey can be reached at 812-855-1262 and . McCormick can be reached at 812-855-348 .

PITCHING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE AT WORK

The workplace, in addition to being a place for making money, has the potential for making a dent in Americans' struggles with obesity, according to Indiana University researchers.

A study led by Whitney E. Hornsby, a graduate student in IU Bloomington's School of Health Physical Education and Recreation, examined weight and activity levels of 56 people ages 23 to 61 who worked desk jobs. The study found that 80 percent of the employees were overweight or obese, which is higher than the general population, and the employees also reported a lower quality of life than the general population.

"Obesity rates have increased while leisure time has stayed the same or increased," said Jeanne Johnston, assistant professor in the School of HPER's Department of Kinesiology. "We're becoming more sedentary in our jobs. As technology improves, it makes it easier or requires us to be closer to our desks."

The study, says Johnston, a co-author, is part of the IU researchers' efforts to use the workplace to stimulate healthier behaviors.

She said employee wellness programs typically come in two forms -- they make available an on-site fitness facility that typically is rarely used, or they make available health and wellness assessments without the resources to help employees implement the recommended changes. The IU researchers are studying a behavioral change program designed to increase employees' activity levels to the light and moderate range, rather than launching them into a full-scale workout regimen.

"The transition is really important, getting to where people are in their stage of exercise and moving them along the continuum," Johnston said. "I'm a big believer that we need to help people move from being sedentary to being active, where they can see the results. Then, they might be motivated to join a fitness facility."

Hornsby will be available to discuss the study, titled "Health, physical activity and quality of life in a worksite population," on Saturday, May 31, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in Hall B. Information about this study is embargoed until this time. Coauthors include Kenneth A. Glover and Joel M. Stager, also from IU Bloomington. The study was partially funded by CSX Transportation. Hornsby can be reached at . Johnston can be reached at 812-855-5073 and .

WEIGHT LOSS AND PATIENT CONTACT FREQUENCY

Past research has found that patients enrolled in weight-management programs experience greater success as the frequency they meet with physicians or weight-loss counselors about their progress increases. The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, an organization that recommends guidelines for primary care in the U.S, classifies two provider contacts with patients as intensive. A study by NiCole Keith, associate professor in the Department of Physical Education at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis, found that this current recommendation may not be intensive enough for low-income and disadvantaged populations.