title: Health Habits of Employees in a Large Medical Center: Time Trends and Impact of a Worksite Wellness Facility.
abstract: Worksite health interventions are not novel but their effect remains subject of debate. We examined employer-based wellness program to determine health habits trends, and compare prevalence estimates to national data. We conducted serial surveys (1996 and 2007-10) to employees of a large medical center that included questions measuring outcomes, including obesity, regular exercise, cardiovascular activity, and smoking status. Logistic regression models were estimated to compare data by membership across years, considering p-values ≤ 0.01 as statistically significant. 3,206 employees responded (Response rates 59-68%). Obesity prevalence increased over time in members and nonmembers of the wellness facility, consistent with national trends. Members had a lower prevalence of cigarette smoking compared to nonmembers (overall year-adjusted odds ratio 0.66, P < 0.001). Further, employees had a lower prevalence of cigarette smoking (9.7 vs. 17.3% in 2010, P < 0.001) compared with national data. Wellness facility membership was associated with increased regular exercise and cardiovascular exercise (P < 0.001) compared to nonmembers. In summary, working in a medical center was associated with a decreased prevalence of cigarette smoking, but not with lower prevalence of obesity. Worksite wellness facility membership was associated with increased exercise and decreased cigarette smoking. Employer-based interventions may be effective in improving some health behaviors.
authors: Division of Preventive, Occupational, and Aerospace Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors: Abd Moain
authors: AM
authors: Abu Dabrh
authors: Division of Preventive, Occupational, and Aerospace Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors: Archana
authors: A
authors: Gorty
authors: Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors: Sarah M
authors: SM
authors: Jenkins
authors: Division of Preventive, Occupational, and Aerospace Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors: Mohammad Hassan
authors: MH
authors: Murad
authors: Division of Preventive, Occupational, and Aerospace Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors: Donald D
authors: DD
authors: Hensrud
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*