Gemeinschaftsmedizin und Gesundheitserziehung

Abstrakt

Effect of a Web-based Health Risk Assessment with Tailored Feedback on Lifestyle among Voluntary Participating Employees: A Long-term Followup Study

Ersen B Colkesen, Eva K Laan1, Jan GP Tijssen, Roderik A Kraaijenhagen, Coenraad K van Kalken and Ron JG Peters

Background: Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by means of web-based Health Risk Assessment (HRA) with tailored feedback for individual health promotion is promising. We evaluated the effects on lifestyle of such a HRA program among employees of a Dutch worksite. Methods: We conducted a prospective follow-up study among employees who voluntarily participated in a webbased HRA including tailored feedback, offered to them by their employer. The program includes a multi-component HRA through a web-based electronic questionnaire, biometrics and laboratory  evaluation. Results are combined with health behavior change theory to generate tailored motivating and educating health recommendations. Upon request, a health counseling session with the program physician is available. Follow-up data on lifestyle were collected one year after initial participation. Primary outcomes were the changes relative to baseline in proportions meeting recommendations for physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, smoking and alcohol consumption. We checked for a possible background effect of an increased health consciousness as a consequence of program introduction at the worksite by comparing baseline measurements of early program participants with baseline measurements of participants who completed the program a year later. Results: A total of 142 employees completed follow-up measurements after mean 15 months. The proportion with a total physical activity amount of ≥ 150 minutes/week increased from 46% to 71% (p<0.001). The proportion with a physical activity pattern according to local recommendation (at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on at least five days a week) was not increased. No differences were found in the proportions meeting recommendations for daily intake of fruit and vegetables, of moderate alcohol consumption, and smoking cessation. Changes were not explained by additional health counseling or increased health consciousness within the company. Conclusions: Among employees who voluntarily participated in a web-based HRA with tailored feedback the proportion with a total physical activity of ≥ 150 minutes/week increased by 25%. Web-based HRA programs with tailored feedback could help employers to enhance employee physical activity.