A Field Test of a Web-Based Workplace Health Promotion Program to Improve Dietary Practices, Reduce Stress, and Increase Physical Activity: Randomized Controlled Trial
2007

Web-Based Health Promotion Program for Workplace

Sample size: 419 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Royer F Cook, Douglas W Billings, Rebekah K Hersch, Anita S Back, April Hendrickson

Primary Institution: ISA Associates

Hypothesis

The Web-based program group will show significantly greater improvement in the outcome measures of diet, stress, and physical activity than the print group.

Conclusion

The Web-based program was more effective than print materials in producing improvements in the areas of diet and nutrition but was not more effective in reducing stress or increasing physical activity.

Supporting Evidence

  • The Web-based program showed significantly better results in dietary attitudes and dietary stage of change compared to the print group.
  • Both groups improved in dietary measures from pretest to posttest.
  • The Web-based program received higher ratings for being informative and appealing.

Takeaway

This study tested a health program on the internet to help workers eat better and be healthier. It found that the online program worked better than paper materials for improving diet.

Methodology

Randomized controlled trial with pretest-posttest comparisons, involving 419 employees assigned to either a Web-based program or print materials.

Potential Biases

Potential for social desirability bias and Hawthorne effect.

Limitations

All dependent measures were self-reports; the test period was limited to three months; and a no-treatment control condition was not included.

Participant Demographics

{"race":{"White":78,"African American":8.6,"Asian":5.7,"Native Alaskan / Pacific Islander":1,"Other":3.3},"gender":{"Male":25.4,"Female":74.2},"age_mean":41.99}

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.008

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.2196/jmir.9.2.e17

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication