Effect of Nurses Living Fit™ exercise and nutrition intervention on body mass index in nurses.
The hospital-based Nurses Living Fit (NLF) intervention was implemented by nurses to determine its effect on decreasing body mass index (BMI) in nurse participants. Although there are limited data on obesity rates of nurses working in the United States, more than half are estimated to be overweight or obese. The NLF intervention included exercise (12 weekly sessions), yoga and nutrition (4 monthly sessions), and diary completion (exercise/yoga, food/water consumption, and sleep), addressing healthy lifestyle principles. NLF participants experienced a greater mean reduction in BMI and waist circumference inches. Ninety-three percent of NLF participants recommended the NLF program. Provision of an evidence-based program such as NLF facilitates nurse education on healthy lifestyle principles.