Health-Related and Lifestyle Factors as Predictors of Intentions to Improve Lifestyle Habits in Employees Participating in a Workplace Health Promotion Program

Abstract

Objectives: To explore employees' intentions to improve lifestyle habits, investigate the health and lifestyle-related predictors of these intentions, and how it translated into behavioral improvement.

Methods: Employees participating in the Activate Your Health WHPP completed a questionnaire of their demographics, health-related variables, as well as six lifestyle habits and intention to improve them.

Results: At baseline (n = 2729), most employees wanted to focus on physical activity and eating habits. Many predictors were identified for each intention. Majority of intentions were associated with behavioral improvement post-program (n = 525), especially in High.

Conclusions: In the context of WHPPs, intention to improve may lead to actual behavioral improvement. Exploring employees' intentions to improve various lifestyle habits at the start of the program could improve the effectiveness of these programs.