title: Impact of a Web-based worksite health promotion program on absenteeism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of participation in a comprehensive, Web-based worksite health promotion program on absenteeism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study population consists of Dutch workers employed at a large financial services company. Linear regression was used to assess the impact of program attendance on the difference between baseline and follow-up absenteeism rates, controlling for gender, age, job level, years of employment, and noncompletion of the program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from 20,797 individuals were analyzed; 3826 individuals enrolled in the program during the study period. A 20.3% reduction in absenteeism was shown among program attendees compared with nonparticipants during a median follow-up period of 23.3 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participating in the worksite health promotion program led to an immediate reduction in absenteeism. Improved psychological well-being, increased exercise, and weight reduction are possible pathways toward this reduction.
authors.affiliation: NDDO Institute for Prevention and Early Diagnostics (NIPED), Amsterdam, the Netherlands. m.a.j.niessen@niped.nl
authors.forename: Maurice A J
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Niessen
authors.forename: Roderik A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kraaijenhagen
authors.forename: Marcel G W
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Dijkgraaf
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Van Pelt
authors.forename: Coen K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Van Kalken
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Peek
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D015431:Weight Loss; D017132:Workplace