title: Effects of a worksite program to improve the cardiovascular health of female health care workers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Reducing cardiovascular risk for female health care workers supports self-care and facilitates a culture of health promotion. We examined the effect of individualized motivational communications on risk and measured program participation at a busy hospital, utilizing cardiac rehabilitation resources.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women (40-65 years old) who self-identified as having increased cardiovascular risk and ready for change were randomly assigned to weekly motivational counseling or control. All participants were offered classes (weight/diet, stress, exercise, and smoking cessation) and gym access. Physical and perceptual measures were recorded before and after the 6-month program to measure change. Followup 1 year later measured current weight, stress, and physical activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants (n = 57) ranked weight as their greatest concern (42%). Compared with control, the intervention group resulted in greater: weight loss (7.2 vs 3.8 pounds); stress reduction (6.5 vs 4.7; Cohen stress scale); and exercise days per week (1.4 vs 1.2). Differences were not statistically significant in this small sample, but all changes consistently favored the intervention. Program participation was low, as was participation in the 1-year followup, although those responding indicated maintenance or further improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These consistent and positive findings are promising but only suggestive because of the small sample size. Future studies should focus on how to get more buy-in from employees, to help insure persistence toward health goals. Study results assisted development of a comprehensive Web-based employee wellness motivational program to address the issues of on-site participation. Attention to health risks in health care workers remains an important area of study.
authors: Cardiac and Pulmonary Wellness Center, El Camino Hospital, Mountain View, California.
authors: Vivian
authors: V
authors: Low
authors: Bonnie
authors: B
authors: Gebhart
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Reich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control; D017132:Workplace