The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a worksite health promotion (WHP) delivered in a small workplace, improves health risk factors, is cost-effective, and positively impacts health behaviors.
Comparison (C, n = 31) and Intervention (I, n = 29) groups underwent health risk assessment and screening at baseline, 12 and 24 months. The I group attended lifestyle classes at the workplace and reported pedometer step counts. Data were analyzed using general linear model ANOVA or Chi square analysis.
At 12 months from baseline, the I group had a decreased LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) (126.67 +/- 4.0 mg/dl to 110.86 +/- 4.4 mg/dl p = 0.011), and average steps per day increased (5253 +/- 368 steps, 7149 +/- 400 steps, p = 0.01). No changes were noted in waist circumference (WC), or metabolic syndrome (MetS) markers. In the C group from baseline, WC increased (37.1 +/- 0.4 in, 38.9 +/- 0.4 in, p = 0.001), and MetS markers increased (1.44 +/- 0.1, 1.88 +/- 0.1 markers, p = 0.018) to a value that was also greater than that in the I group at 12 months (1.29 +/- 0.1 markers, p = 0.002). Dietary omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio was found to be greater than that of the I group (14.49 +/- 1.8; 10.33 +/- 2.3, p = 0.03). Cost-effectiveness compared favorably to other studies.
At 24 months, LDL-C and Mets markers were not different from the 12 to 24 month values, either within or between groups. WC of the I group (37.3 in) was significantly less than the C group (38.7 in, p = 0.04). C-reactive protein of the I group was 44% less than that of the C group (p = 0.027). More of the I group than the C group participants reported increased physical activity (84.2% vs. 41.2% , p = 0.007) and improved diet (63.2% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.043). Both groups were highly receptive to a WHP.
This study demonstrated that health risks and health behaviors can improve following a WHP in a small workplace that is also cost-effective, and well-accepted by employees.
","abstract_html":"<p>The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a worksite health promotion (WHP) delivered in a small workplace, improves health risk factors, is cost-effective, and positively impacts health behaviors.</p><p>Comparison (C, n = 31) and Intervention (I, n = 29) groups underwent health risk assessment and screening at baseline, 12 and 24 months. The I group attended lifestyle classes at the workplace and reported pedometer step counts. Data were analyzed using general linear model ANOVA or Chi square analysis.</p><p>At 12 months from baseline, the I group had a decreased LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) (126.67 +/- 4.0 mg/dl to 110.86 +/- 4.4 mg/dl p = 0.011), and average steps per day increased (5253 +/- 368 steps, 7149 +/- 400 steps, p = 0.01). No changes were noted in waist circumference (WC), or metabolic syndrome (MetS) markers. In the C group from baseline, WC increased (37.1 +/- 0.4 in, 38.9 +/- 0.4 in, p = 0.001), and MetS markers increased (1.44 +/- 0.1, 1.88 +/- 0.1 markers, p = 0.018) to a value that was also greater than that in the I group at 12 months (1.29 +/- 0.1 markers, p = 0.002). Dietary omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio was found to be greater than that of the I group (14.49 +/- 1.8; 10.33 +/- 2.3, p = 0.03). Cost-effectiveness compared favorably to other studies.</p><p>At 24 months, LDL-C and Mets markers were not different from the 12 to 24 month values, either within or between groups. WC of the I group (37.3 in) was significantly less than the C group (38.7 in, p = 0.04). C-reactive protein of the I group was 44% less than that of the C group (p = 0.027). More of the I group than the C group participants reported increased physical activity (84.2% vs. 41.2% , p = 0.007) and improved diet (63.2% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.043). Both groups were highly receptive to a WHP.</p><p>This study demonstrated that health risks and health behaviors can improve following a WHP in a small workplace that is also cost-effective, and well-accepted by employees.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Allen, Jorie C"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Doctor of Philosophy","degree_level":"Dissertation","degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Anthony R Tagliaferro"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2012,"date_issued":"2012-01-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2012-01-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T05:22:36Z","subjects":["Health Sciences","Nutrition","Occupational Health and Safety"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://scholars.unh.edu/dissertation/690","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Anthony R Tagliaferro"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Allen, Jorie C"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Dissertation"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Doctor of Philosophy"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Health Sciences","Nutrition","Occupational Health and Safety"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://scholars.unh.edu/dissertation/690"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a worksite health promotion (WHP) delivered in a small workplace, improves health risk factors, is cost-effective, and positively impacts health behaviors.
Comparison (C, n = 31) and Intervention (I, n = 29) groups underwent health risk assessment and screening at baseline, 12 and 24 months. The I group attended lifestyle classes at the workplace and reported pedometer step counts. Data were analyzed using general linear model ANOVA or Chi square analysis.
At 12 months from baseline, the I group had a decreased LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) (126.67 +/- 4.0 mg/dl to 110.86 +/- 4.4 mg/dl p = 0.011), and average steps per day increased (5253 +/- 368 steps, 7149 +/- 400 steps, p = 0.01). No changes were noted in waist circumference (WC), or metabolic syndrome (MetS) markers. In the C group from baseline, WC increased (37.1 +/- 0.4 in, 38.9 +/- 0.4 in, p = 0.001), and MetS markers increased (1.44 +/- 0.1, 1.88 +/- 0.1 markers, p = 0.018) to a value that was also greater than that in the I group at 12 months (1.29 +/- 0.1 markers, p = 0.002). Dietary omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio was found to be greater than that of the I group (14.49 +/- 1.8; 10.33 +/- 2.3, p = 0.03). Cost-effectiveness compared favorably to other studies.
At 24 months, LDL-C and Mets markers were not different from the 12 to 24 month values, either within or between groups. WC of the I group (37.3 in) was significantly less than the C group (38.7 in, p = 0.04). C-reactive protein of the I group was 44% less than that of the C group (p = 0.027). More of the I group than the C group participants reported increased physical activity (84.2% vs. 41.2% , p = 0.007) and improved diet (63.2% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.043). Both groups were highly receptive to a WHP.
This study demonstrated that health risks and health behaviors can improve following a WHP in a small workplace that is also cost-effective, and well-accepted by employees.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Test model of a healthy lifestyle intervention program"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Anthony R Tagliaferro"],"dc:creator":["Allen, Jorie C"],"dc:description.abstract":["The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a worksite health promotion (WHP) delivered in a small workplace, improves health risk factors, is cost-effective, and positively impacts health behaviors.
Comparison (C, n = 31) and Intervention (I, n = 29) groups underwent health risk assessment and screening at baseline, 12 and 24 months. The I group attended lifestyle classes at the workplace and reported pedometer step counts. Data were analyzed using general linear model ANOVA or Chi square analysis.
At 12 months from baseline, the I group had a decreased LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) (126.67 +/- 4.0 mg/dl to 110.86 +/- 4.4 mg/dl p = 0.011), and average steps per day increased (5253 +/- 368 steps, 7149 +/- 400 steps, p = 0.01). No changes were noted in waist circumference (WC), or metabolic syndrome (MetS) markers. In the C group from baseline, WC increased (37.1 +/- 0.4 in, 38.9 +/- 0.4 in, p = 0.001), and MetS markers increased (1.44 +/- 0.1, 1.88 +/- 0.1 markers, p = 0.018) to a value that was also greater than that in the I group at 12 months (1.29 +/- 0.1 markers, p = 0.002). Dietary omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio was found to be greater than that of the I group (14.49 +/- 1.8; 10.33 +/- 2.3, p = 0.03). Cost-effectiveness compared favorably to other studies.
At 24 months, LDL-C and Mets markers were not different from the 12 to 24 month values, either within or between groups. WC of the I group (37.3 in) was significantly less than the C group (38.7 in, p = 0.04). C-reactive protein of the I group was 44% less than that of the C group (p = 0.027). More of the I group than the C group participants reported increased physical activity (84.2% vs. 41.2% , p = 0.007) and improved diet (63.2% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.043). Both groups were highly receptive to a WHP.
This study demonstrated that health risks and health behaviors can improve following a WHP in a small workplace that is also cost-effective, and well-accepted by employees.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://scholars.unh.edu/dissertation/690"],"dc:subject":["Health Sciences","Nutrition","Occupational Health and Safety"],"dc:title":["Test model of a healthy lifestyle intervention program"],"thesis:degree_level":["Dissertation"],"thesis:degree_name":["Doctor of Philosophy"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T05:22:36Z"}