title: Improved health behaviors persist over two years for employees in a worksite wellness program.
abstract: This study evaluates whether improvements in health behaviors related to a worksite wellness program persist through 2 years. The program was designed to build behavioral capability and self-efficacy by yielding immediately applicable skills and tools and segmenting the behavior change process into weekly, manageable doses. Analyses are based on 267 individuals employed from 2009 through 2011. Significant improvements were observed in the frequency and volume of exercise, and the consumption of vegetables and fruits over 12 and 24 months. Requests for health coaching significantly increased over the study period. Thus, the type of wellness program evaluated in this study produced sustainable health behaviors through 24 months, which likely will translate into future positive health outcomes and improved employee productivity.
authors: Department of Exercise Science, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA. lecheminant@byu.edu
authors: James D
authors: JD
authors: LeCheminant
authors: Ray M
authors: RM
authors: Merrill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D011446:Prospective Studies; D040241:Social Marketing; D013997:Time Factors; D017132:Workplace