OBJECTIVE: To present the effects of a relatively modest environmental intervention on biological cardiovascular risk indicators. METHOD: A controlled trial, including two worksites. Measurements (i.e., body composition, blood pressure and serum cholesterol) took place at baseline and at 3- and 12-month follow-up. The 12-month environmental intervention (The Hague, The Netherlands, 2004) consisted of: a 'Food'-part: to stimulate healthier food choices by means of product information in the canteen, and a 'Steps'-part: focused on stimulating stair use by means of motivational prompts in staircases and on elevator doors. RESULTS: Significant differences in change between groups (n=540) in favor of the intervention group were found on: [1] total cholesterol for women (-0.35 mmol/l); [2] HDL for men at 3 months (0.05 mmol/l) and 12 months (0.10 mmol/l); and [3] the total-HDL ratio for the total intervention group at 3 and 12 months (-0.45 mmol/l). Both groups showed a decrease in all body composition values at both follow-ups. A significant difference in change in systolic BP was found in favor of the control group (approximately 4 mm Hg), due to an increase in the intervention group at both follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the contrasting results, this modest environmental intervention was ineffective in reducing cardiovascular risk in a population of office workers.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To present the effects of a relatively modest environmental intervention on biological cardiovascular risk indicators. METHOD: A controlled trial, including two worksites. Measurements (i.e., body composition, blood pressure and serum cholesterol) took place at baseline and at 3- and 12-month follow-up. The 12-month environmental intervention (The Hague, The Netherlands, 2004) consisted of: a 'Food'-part: to stimulate healthier food choices by means of product information in the canteen, and a 'Steps'-part: focused on stimulating stair use by means of motivational prompts in staircases and on elevator doors. RESULTS: Significant differences in change between groups (n=540) in favor of the intervention group were found on: [1] total cholesterol for women (-0.35 mmol/l); [2] HDL for men at 3 months (0.05 mmol/l) and 12 months (0.10 mmol/l); and [3] the total-HDL ratio for the total intervention group at 3 and 12 months (-0.45 mmol/l). Both groups showed a decrease in all body composition values at both follow-ups. A significant difference in change in systolic BP was found in favor of the control group (approximately 4 mm Hg), due to an increase in the intervention group at both follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the contrasting results, this modest environmental intervention was ineffective in reducing cardiovascular risk in a population of office workers.
Authors: Susan B Racette; Susan S Deusinger; Cindi L Inman; Tamara L Burlis; Gabrielle R Highstein; Trent D Buskirk; Karen Steger-May; Linda R Peterson Journal: Prev Med Date: 2009-07-02 Impact factor: 4.018
Authors: Dariush Mozaffarian; Ashkan Afshin; Neal L Benowitz; Vera Bittner; Stephen R Daniels; Harold A Franch; David R Jacobs; William E Kraus; Penny M Kris-Etherton; Debra A Krummel; Barry M Popkin; Laurie P Whitsel; Neil A Zakai Journal: Circulation Date: 2012-08-20 Impact factor: 29.690
Authors: Ron Z Goetzel; Enid C Roemer; Xiaofei Pei; Meghan E Short; Maryam J Tabrizi; Mark G Wilson; David M Dejoy; Beth A Craun; Karen J Tully; John M White; Catherine M Baase Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2010-03 Impact factor: 2.162
Authors: Iris F Groeneveld; Karin I Proper; Allard J van der Beek; Vincent H Hildebrandt; Willem van Mechelen Journal: Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act Date: 2009-12-01 Impact factor: 6.457