Combined Before-and-After Workplace Intervention to Promote Healthy Lifestyles in Healthcare Workers (STI-VI Study): Short-Term Assessment

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018 Sep 19;15(9):2053. doi: 10.3390/ijerph15092053.

Abstract

Health care workers (HCWs) are prone to a heavy psycho-physical workload. Health promotion programs can help prevent the onset of chronic and work-related diseases. The aim of the STI-VI 'before-and-after' study, with assessments scheduled at 6 and 12 months, was to improve the lifestyle of HCWs with at least one cardiovascular risk factor. A tailored motivational counseling intervention, focusing on dietary habits and physical activity (PA) was administered to 167 HCWs (53 males; 114 females). BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, and cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood glucose levels were measured before and after the intervention. The 6-month results (total sample and by gender) showed a marked effect on lifestyle: PA improved (+121.2 MET, p = 0.01), and diets became more similar to the Mediterranean model (+0.8, p < 0.001). BMI dropped (-0.2, p < 0.03), and waist circumference improved even more (-2.5 cm; p < 0.001). Other variables improved significantly: total and LDL cholesterol (-12.8 and -9.4 mg/dL, p < 0.001); systolic and diastolic blood pressure (-4.4 and -2.5 mmHg, p < 0.001); blood glucose (-1.5 mg/dL, p = 0.05); and triglycerides (significant only in women), (-8.7 mg/dL, p = 0.008); but HDL cholesterol levels dropped too. If consolidated at 12 months, these results indicate that our intervention can help HCWs maintain a healthy lifestyle and work ability.

Keywords: chronic diseases; health promotion; lifestyle changes; tailored counseling intervention; work ability.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose
  • Blood Pressure
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Diet
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Female
  • Health Personnel / psychology*
  • Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Health Promotion / statistics & numerical data
  • Healthy Lifestyle / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Waist Circumference
  • Workplace

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Triglycerides
  • Cholesterol