Health Benefits of a 16-Week Whole Food, High Fiber, Plant Predominant Diet among U.S. Employees

Abstract

Purpose To assess improvements in eating behaviors and health measures among adults participating in a whole food plant predominant diet, Full Plate Living (FPL) program. Design Retrospective, post hoc analysis of self-reported 16-week pre-post participant data obtained over a 3 year program period (2017-19). Setting Wellness offering for employees in Southwest U.S. Subjects Of 6,820 enrollees, 4,477 completed the program, further segmented by generational cohorts. Intervention FPL program materials and weekly online video lessons. Measures Baseline and follow-up measures included eating behaviors, self-perceived health status and energy, body weight, and confidence in healthy eating and weight loss. Analysis Paired t-tests were used to examine changes in eating behaviors and health measures. Mixed-effects models were used to examine whether changes among generational cohorts differed. Results Significant pre-post improvements were demonstrated for all measures, including servings of fruits (1.54 to 2.34), vegetables (2.05 to 2.87), beans (.63 to .99), and weight loss (3.5) ( P < .001). Self-perceived health and energy values, and confidence in making healthy food choices and losing weight improved ( P < .001). Improvements were observed across generational cohorts ( P < .001). Conclusion The FPL healthy eating approach has a beneficial impact on health measures across generational cohorts, and may be an effective addition to lifestyle medicine and corporate wellness offerings. Longer-term program evaluation is warranted.