Long-term effects of a worksite health promotion program for firefighters.
OBJECTIVE
To describe effects of 2 worksite health promotion programs for firefighters, both immediate outcomes and the long-term consequences for 4 years following the interventions.


METHODS
At baseline, 599 firefighters were assessed, randomized by fire station to control and 2 different intervention conditions, and reevaluated with 6 annual follow-up measurements.


RESULTS
Both a team-centered peer-taught curriculum and an individual motivational interviewing intervention demonstrated positive effects on BMI, with team effects on nutrition behavior and physical activity at one year. Most differences between intervention and control groups dissipated at later annual assessments. However, the trajectory of behaviors across time generally was positive for all groups, consistent with lasting effects and diffusion of program benefits across experimental groups within the worksites.


CONCLUSIONS
Although one-year programmatic effects did not remain over time, the long-term pattern of behaviors suggested these worksites as a whole were healthier more than 3 years following the interventions.
MacKinnon
David P
DP
Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1104, USA. David.MacKinnon@asu.edu
Elliot
Diane L
DL
Thoemmes
Felix
F
Kuehl
Kerry S
KS
Moe
Esther L
EL
Goldberg
Linn
L
Burrell
Ginger Lockhart
GL
Ranby
Krista W
KW
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D016272:Occupational Health; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017132:Workplace