Impact of a pedometer-based workplace health program on cardiovascular and diabetes risk profile

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether participation in a four-month, pedometer-based, physical activity, workplace health programme results in an improvement in risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.MethodsAdults employed within Australia in primarily sedentary occupations and voluntarily enrolled in a workplace programme, the Global Corporate Challenge®, aimed at increasing physical activity were recruited. Data included demographic, behavioural, anthropometric and biomedical measurements. Measures were compared between baseline and four-months.Results762 participants were recruited in April/May 2008 with 79% returning. Improvements between baseline and four-months amongst programme participants were observed for physical activity (an increase of 6.5% in the proportion meeting guidelines, OR(95%CI): 1.7(1.1, 2.5)), fruit intake (4%, OR: 1.7(1.0, 3.0)), vegetable intake (2%, OR: 1.3(1.0, 1.8)), sitting time (− 0.6(− 0.9, − 0.3) hours/day), blood pressure (systolic: − 1.8(− 3.1, −.05) mmHg; diastolic: − 1.8(− 2.4, − 1.3) mmHg) and waist circumference (− 1.6(− 2.4, − 0.7) cm). In contrast, an increase was found for fasting total cholesterol (0.3(0.1, 0.4) mmol/L) and triglycerides (0.1(0.0, 0.1) mmol/L).ConclusionCompletion of this four-month, pedometer-based, physical activity, workplace programme was associated with improvements in behavioural and anthropometric risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Long-term evaluation is required to evaluate the potential of such programmes to prevent the onset of chronic disease.

► Completion of a four-month, pedometer-based, low-impact, physical activity, workplace health programme was associated with improvements in behavioural and anthropometric risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
► This evaluation demonstrated improvements in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and in waist circumference associated with participation in the health programme.
► This evaluation demonstrates that workplace health programmes aiming to increase walking through use of a pedometer not only have the ability to improve physical activity levels, but also can have immediate benefits on a range of chronic disease risk factors.
► This evaluation highlights the potential of workplaces as a setting for chronic disease prevention as benefits were found in males and younger adults, who traditionally are less likely to act on their health.