Rates and determinants of uptake and use of an internet physical activity and weight management program in office and manufacturing work sites in england: Cohort study

Background: Internet-based physical activity (PA) and weight management programs have the potential to improve employees ’ health in large occupational health settings. To be successful, the program must engage a wide range of employees, especially those at risk of weight gain or ill health. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the use and nonuse (user attrition) of a Web-based and monitoring device–based PA and weight management program in a range of employees and to determine if engagement with the program was related to the employees ’ baseline characteristics or measured outcomes. Methods: Longitudinal observational study of a cohort of employees having access to the MiLife Web-based automated behavior change system. Employees were recruited from manufacturing and office sites in the North West and the South of England. Baseline health data were collected, and participants were given devices to monitor their weight and PA via data upload to the website. Website use, PA, and weight data were collected throughout the 12-week program. Results: Overall, 12 % of employees at the four sites (265/2302) agreed to participate in th