The Multitasking Stress Management Solution

Every day, an estimated one million U.S. adults miss work due to stress-related issues, imposing substantial costs on businesses. Depression-related absenteeism also exacts a heavy toll, draining U.S. businesses of $51 billion annually; this financial burden is compounded by an additional $26 billion spent on treatment costs¹. This phenomenon has far-reaching implications, as it is widely recognized that chronic stress can also heighten the risk of obesity and other chronic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

While a growing number of employers recognize the urgent need to address the rising prevalence of both stress and weight-related diseases among their employee populations, the majority of programs still bifurcate the treatment of mental and physical health conditions. However, a recent study conducted by Noom highlights the distinct advantages of a more integrated approach.

The 2022 study evaluated the effectiveness of Noom Weight, a digital weight loss program, over one year. At the 12-month mark, participants lost an average of 5.6% of their initial body weight, and 41.7% of participants achieved weight loss greater than or equal to 5% of their initial body weight. Equally significant were the advancements in non-scale goals and broader health-promoting behaviors, such as stress management, that emerged throughout the study².

Notable improvements were evident from baseline to six months: the combined score of all health-promoting behaviors (HPLP-II summary score) increased, along with health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, and stress management behaviors. Significant changes were also noted from baseline to 12 months, as overall HPLP-II scores saw a big uptick, along with improved health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, and stress management behaviors.

Crucially, these changes were not directly linked to weight loss within the program; rather, they represented independent gains. The study attributes much of the participants’ success in achieving these broader health-promoting behaviors to Noom Weight’s cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-based curriculum. CBT is a goal-oriented form of psychotherapy that looks to help people better understand the things that trigger negative thoughts, compulsive actions, and unwelcome consequences. 

Sustained engagement with CBT has been linked to an increase in self-compassion, which, in turn, bolsters a person’s self-efficacy. Through Noom Weight’s CBT-backed modules, many members learn to challenge negative self-talk and cultivate a more constructive inner dialogue. This shift in mindset not only fosters greater self-acceptance but also empowers individuals to approach a broad range of challenges with increased confidence, enabling them to better manage stressors in both their personal and professional lives.

“Noom has a rich history in providing tailored behavior change support to individuals facing serious health issues,” said Noom Interim Chief Medical Officer Adonis Saremi. “We believe that addressing underlying habits is essential for long-term health outcomes and overall resilience.”

As employers strive to assemble the best benefits plans for their organizations, this study offers valuable insights about the health and cost advantages of integrated employee wellness programs. This study suggests that solutions like Noom for Work can help employees not just manage their weight but, just as importantly, cultivate the behaviors that enable them to enjoy healthier outcomes across multiple aspects of their lives.

Finally, the success of any wellness program hinges not only on its curricula but also on its accessibility and engagement. By leveraging digital platforms, Noom enables scalable and personalized interventions that can reach a diverse workforce, including remote employees and shift workers. And thanks to its high brand awareness with consumers and ease of use, Noom for Work’s adoption rate consistently comes in at or above 25%³.

For Noom’s Dr. Saremi, technology has a critical role to play in facilitating better health outcomes. “The medical field’s standard of care has traditionally been less than ideal when it comes to lifestyle interventions. There is so much more that data can do,” he said. “With technology, we can offer individuals consistent, personalized support in the real world, where the hard work of behavior change needs to happen.”

---

1. Zippia, “40+ Worrisome Workplace Stress Statistics [2023]: Facts, Causes, and Trends,” Zippia.com, Feb. 11, 2023, https://www.zippia.com/advice/workplace-stress-statistics. ↩︎
2. Heather Behr et al. 2022. “Changes in Health-Promoting Behaviors and Their Association with Weight Loss, Retention, and Engagement on a Digital Program: Prospective Study” Nutrients 14, no. 22: 4812. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14224812. ↩︎
3. Noom internal analysis ↩︎