Effect of a worksite wellness program health blog

Effect of a worksite wellness program health blog on perceived versus actual health-related attitudes and behaviors J. Serdikoff, B. S. , A. Bromm, RD, L. De. Haven, MS RD ARAMARK Distance Learning Dietetic Internship Program, Philadelphia, PA ABSTRACT Worksite wellness programs (WWP) nationwide are now commonplace in an attempt to curb the obesity epidemic, with many of them rooted in online media. It is crucial to understand the potential that these web-based programs and their various features have for behavioral and attitudinal change. This study used a pre-post test evaluation method to assess the extent to which a health blog would influence WWP participation and health behaviors and attitudes. The blog was studied from November 2012 to April 2013 and descriptive statistics were used to analyze results. These results showed that 58. 8% of surveyed employees believed that a health blog would motivate them to participate more in the program, and similar positive associations were also established with expected influence on behavioral and attitudinal change. However, post-assessment data showed significantly less influence on participation, attitudes, or behaviors, with a greater proportion at the end of the program indicating that it had no influence and a lesser proportion indicating that it had a positive influence. Those who did frequent the blog rated the posts positively: an average of 3. 7 out of 5. 0 stars. The researchers concluded that although employees like the idea of a health blog as part of a web-based WWP, there is a difference between perceived and actual effect. More research is needed to further understand the potential of WWP blogs. INTRODUCTION • Per person medical expenses $1, 429 higher for obese vs. non-obese citizens 1 • > ⅓ U. S. adults obese • Government efforts see paradigm shift in focus from treatment to prevention • Healthy People 2020 Goals: 2 • ECBP 8: increased proportion of employers offering health promotion programs • ECBP 9: increase employee participation in health promotion programs • The Wellness/Prevention for Employees Provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: 3 • 50% discounts on insurance premiums for all beneficial employee wellness initiatives • $940 -$2, 350 in employee incentives annually for meeting health targets • Worksite Wellness Programs (WWP) turning to web-based formats • Of U. S. adults who use the internet (74%): 4 • 80% have used it for health information • 34% have read someone’s health/medical commentary on news groups, websites, & blogs • 27% have tracked symptoms or health parameters online • Web-based WWP lead to high participant satisfaction 5, 6 • Studies lack strong evidence in: • Actual health behavior & attitude change 7 • Which specific components of a web-based WWP are effective RESEARCH QUESTION / OBJECTIVE Does a worksite wellness program health blog motivate employees to participate and positively alter attitudes and behaviors regarding a healthy lifestyle? METHODOLOGY • Research Design: Evaluation • Data Collection • Pre-intervention, 5 question survey (n=18) • • Post-intervention, 5 question survey (n=10) • Blog post ratings by participants • Statistical Evaluation: simple descriptive statistical tests (means, ranges, etc. ) • Subjects Recruitment: non-random convenience sample • Full-time employees eligible to participate in the WWP • Anonymous • Resources • For data collection: • Hospital (site of WWP) cafeteria • Laptop computer & WIFI connection • WWP promotional materials from the Human Resources Department • Donated kitchen items for “thank you” parfait samples • Sample cups • Plastic spoons • Greek yogurt • Portion-controlled cereal • For blog implementation: • Time CONCLUSIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. a) Data Collection: Questionnaire How often do you visit Holy Redeemer’s employee wellness website, Healthy. U? a) At least once a week b) At least once a month c) Rarely or never, but I knew that it existed d) Never – I did not know that it existed. How often do you visit the health blog on Healthy. U's website? a) At least once a week b) At least once a month c) Rarely or never, but I knew that it existed d) Never – I did not know that it existed. In what way do you believe a healthy blog feature would motivate you to participate in Healthy. U? a) It would make me less interested in participating b) It would have no influence on my participation c) It would make me more interested in participating In what way do you believe a health blog would motivate you to change your attitudes regarding a healthy lifestyle (e. g. perception of value, importance, and benefit of adopting a healthy lifestyle)? a) It would make me less interested in changing my attitudes. b) It would have no influence on my attitudes c) It would make me more interested in changing my attitudes. In what way do you believe a health blog would influence you to change your behaviors regarding a healthy lifestyle (e. g. diet, exercise, smoking cessation, etc. )? a) It would make me less interested in changing my behaviors. b) It would have no influence on my behaviors. c) It would make me more interested in changing my behaviors. RESULTS Increased program awareness • 20% fewer respondents at post-intervention were unaware of the WWP • 10% fewer respondents at post-intervention were unaware of the blog DISCUSSION Decreased Reported Influence of Blog on: • Program participation (28. 8%) • Health-related attitudes (20. 6%) • Health-related behaviors (32. 4%) Table 1. Subjective Rating of WWP Blog Posts by WWP Program Participants, 2012 -2013. Total Number of Posts† 27 † Total Number of Rated Posts 16 (59%) Average Rating (out of 5 ) 3. 7 Median Rating 3. 5 Minimum Rating: 2 Maximum Rating 5 †As of March 12, 2013 • WWP seek to control employer’s healthcare benefit expenses & improve country’s health • Health blog component of web-based WWP: • Associated with high participant satisfaction • Acts as expected motivator for program participation and health-related attitudes & behaviors • Not correlated with actual changes in program participation or health-related attitudes & behaviors • Consistent with current research 5, 6, 7 • Limitations: • Overall lack of awareness of the WWP & associated blog • Small sample size • Survey did not differentiate between individuals who were not influenced by the blog due to • Genuine disinterest • High baseline levels of health-related attitudes & behaviors • Strengths: • Focus on 1 feature rather than whole WWP program WWP have the potential to help the United States curb the obesity epidemic, but with so many avenues for implementation, it is unknown which method is most effective and, therefore, worthwhile. This study takes a first step in differentiating between web-based WWP in general and the various features that may or may not be included in them, but its small sample size and survey limitations warrant replication by future researchers. A worksite health blog may, in fact, be a viable solution to the health of the nation, but without larger studies with the resources to conduct complex, multi-component analyses of efficacy, its true impact has yet to be elucidated. REFERENCES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Adult Obesity Facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. Available at http: //www. cdc. gov/obesity/data/adult. html#Common. Updated August 13, 2012. Accessed November 25, 2012. Tuma PA. An overview of the intentions of health care reform. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012; 112(suppl 1): S 56 -S 63. Accessed on November 18, 2012. Healthy People 2020 Summary of Objectives: Educational and Community-Based Programs. Healthy People Web site. http: //healthypeople. gov/2020/topicsobjectives 2020/pdfs/Educational. Programs. pdf. Updated October 30, 2012. Accessed November 24, 2012. Gingerich SB, Anderson DR, Koland H. Impact of financial incentives on behavior change program participation and risk reduction in worksite health promotion. Am J Health Promot. 2012; 27(2): 119 -122. Fox S. The social life of health information, 2011. Pew Internet & American Life Project Web site. http: //pewinternet. org/Reports/2011/Social-Life-of-Health-Info. aspx. Accessed November 23, 2012. Smaldone D. Increasing walking t the C&O Canal National Historical Park: an intervention focused on local employees. Proceedings of the 2008 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. 2008: 44 -52. Colkasen EB, Niessen MAJ, Peek N, Vosbergen S, et al. Initiation of health-behaviour change among employees participating in a web-based health-risk assessment with tailored feedback. Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology. 2011; 6(5). CONTACT INFORMATION For additional information, please contact: Jessica Serdikofff, BS, Nutrition & Dietetics Dietetic Intern ARAMARK Distance Learning Dietetic Internship jserdikoff@gmail. com Template provided by: “posters 4 research. com”