title: Is usage of a wellness center associated with improved quality of life?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is limited documentation regarding the potential quality of life (QOL) benefits associated with use of a worksite wellness center. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between potential QOL change and use of a worksite wellness center during a 12-month period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of an annual QOL wellness center member survey and wellness center use during a 12-month time period.
  
  
  METHODS
  A worksite wellness center.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1151 employee wellness center members, average age of 39.5 years, 69.7% female, and 43.5% reported being overweight.
  
  
  METHODS
  Members of the worksite wellness center have access to a range of fitness options, including exercise classes, water aerobics, an indoor track, strength training, and aerobic conditioning equipment. Additionally, nutritional classes are offered, and there is a wellness café. For resiliency, members can participate in wellness coaching or a stress-reduction group program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed a baseline QOL survey and a second QOL survey 1 year later. An electronic entry system tracked use of the wellness center.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants were divided into four wellness center use quartiles: low users (less than once every 2 weeks), below-average users, above-average users, and high users (two to three visits per week). High users reported experiencing improvements in their physical QOL (p < .0001) compared with the low users. Additionally, low users experienced a greater decline in their mental QOL (p = .05) compared with high users.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a large sample of employees, use of a wellness center during a 12-month period was associated with benefits for physical QOL. QOL is an important domain of wellness; therefore, in addition to measuring physiologic changes, examining potential QOL changes may be another important outcome measure for wellness centers.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. clark.matthew@mayo.edu
authors: Matthew M
authors: MM
authors: Clark
authors: Sarah M
authors: SM
authors: Jenkins
authors: Katherine A
authors: KA
authors: Limoges
authors: Philip T
authors: PT
authors: Hagen
authors: Kandace A
authors: KA
authors: Lackore
authors: Ann M
authors: AM
authors: Harris
authors: Brooke L
authors: BL
authors: Werneburg
authors: Beth A
authors: BA
authors: Warren
authors: Kerry D
authors: KD
authors: Olsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D011788:Quality of Life; D017132:Workplace