Workplace health changes effective

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Environmental changes implemented at 12 Dow Chemical Co. worksites helped employees achieve improvements in health risks, U.S. researchers said.

Emory University public health researcher Ron Goetzel said the health improvements included weight management, decreasing tobacco use and better blood pressure.

The environmental interventions, called LightenUP, aimed to decrease the number of calories employees consumed and increase the number of calories they expended.

Nine locations were designated treatment sites and three control sites. At treatment sites, employees were provided enhanced access to healthy foods in vending machines and cafeterias, greater access to physical activity through walking trails and pedometer programs, dissemination of multiple health education materials, leadership training, physical activity and weight management programs, health assessments and individual consultations and online behavior change programs.

The study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association in San Diego, found that after one year, employees who participated in the environmental weight management interventions significantly reduced their blood pressure risk and maintained a steady weight when compared to employees at control sites.