Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2015-3
A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial of a Nutrition Intervention Program in a Multiethnic Adult Population in the Corporate Setting Reduces Depression and Anxiety and Improves Quality of Life: The GEICO Study
To determine whether a plant-based nutrition program in a multicenter, corporate setting improves depression, anxiety, and productivity.
Design.
A quasi-experimental study examined the impact of diet on emotional well-being and productivity.
Setting.
The study was conducted in 10 corporate sites of a major U.S. insurance company.
Subjects.
There were 292 participants (79.8% women, 20.2% men), with body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 and/or previous diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
Intervention.
Either weekly instruction in following a vegan diet or no instruction was given for 18 weeks.
Measures.
Depression and anxiety were measured using the Short Form-36 questionnaire. Work productivity was measured using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire.
Analysis.
Baseline characteristics were examined by t-test for continuous variables and χ2 test for categorical variables. Analysis of covariance models were adjusted for baseline covariates. Paired t-tests were used to determine within-group changes and t-tests for between-group differences.
Results.
In an intention-to-treat analysis, improvements in impairment because of health (p < .001), overall work impairment because of health (p = .02), non-work-related activity impairment because of health (p < .001), depression (p = .02), anxiety (p = .04), fatigue (p < .001), emotional well-being (p = .01), daily functioning because of physical health (p = .01), and general health (p = 0.02) in the intervention group were significantly greater than in the control group. Results were similar for study completers.
Conclusion.
A dietary intervention improves depression, anxiety, and productivity in a multicenter, corporate setting.
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