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The healthy worker project: A work-site intervention for weight control and smoking cessation

Author

Listed:
  • Jeffery, R.W.
  • Forster, J.L.
  • French, S.A.
  • Kelder, S.H.
  • Lando, H.A.
  • McGovern, P.G.
  • Jacobs Jr., D.R.
  • Baxter, J.E.

Abstract

Objectives. A randomized trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a work-site health promotion program in reducing obesity and the prevalence of cigarette smoking. Methods. Thirty-two work sites were randomized to treatment or no treatment for 2 years. Treatment consisted of health education classes combined with a payroll-based incentive system. Evaluation was based on cohort and cross-sectional surveys. Results. Of 10 000 total employees in treatment work sites, 2041 and 270 participated in weight control and smoking cessation programs, respectively. Weight losses averaged 4.8 lbs, and 43% of smoking participants quit. Net 2-year reductions in smoking prevalence in treatment vs control work sites were 4.0% and 2.1% in cross-sectional and cohort surveys, respectively. No treatment effect was found for weight. Treatment effects for smoking prevalence and weight were both positively correlated with participation rates in the intervention programs (r = .45 for smoking and r = .55 for weight). Conclusions. This work-site health promotion program was effective in reducing smoking prevalence at a cost that is believed to make the investment worthwhile.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeffery, R.W. & Forster, J.L. & French, S.A. & Kelder, S.H. & Lando, H.A. & McGovern, P.G. & Jacobs Jr., D.R. & Baxter, J.E., 1993. "The healthy worker project: A work-site intervention for weight control and smoking cessation," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 83(3), pages 395-401.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1993:83:3:395-401_8
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    Cited by:

    1. John Cawley & Joshua A. Price, 2011. "Outcomes in a Program that Offers Financial Rewards for Weight Loss," NBER Chapters, in: Economic Aspects of Obesity, pages 91-126, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Finkelstein, Eric A. & Tham, Kwang-Wei & Haaland, Benjamin A. & Sahasranaman, Aarti, 2017. "Applying economic incentives to increase effectiveness of an outpatient weight loss program (TRIO) – A randomized controlled trial," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 63-70.
    3. Mortimer, Duncan & Harris, Anthony & Wijnands, Jasper S. & Stevenson, Mark, 2021. "Persistence or reversal? The micro-effects of time-varying financial penalties," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 72-86.
    4. Emma L Giles & Shannon Robalino & Elaine McColl & Falko F Sniehotta & Jean Adams, 2014. "The Effectiveness of Financial Incentives for Health Behaviour Change: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(3), pages 1-16, March.
    5. Alfredo R. Paloyo & Arndt R. Reichert & Holger Reinermann & Harald Tauchmann, 2014. "The Causal Link Between Financial Incentives And Weight Loss: An Evidence-Based Survey Of The Literature," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(3), pages 401-420, July.
    6. Kan, Kamhon & Tsai, Wei-Der, 2004. "Obesity and risk knowledge," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 23(5), pages 907-934, September.
    7. repec:zbw:rwirep:0290 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Alfredo R. Paloyo & Arndt Rüdiger Reichert & Holger Reinermann & Harald Tauchmann, 2011. "The Causal Link Between Financial Incentives and Weight Loss – An Evidence-based Survey of the Literature," Ruhr Economic Papers 0290, Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universität Dortmund, Universität Duisburg-Essen.

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