Are Employees Who Are at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease Joining Worksite Fitness Centers?

Abstract

To effectively serve disease prevention purposes, worksite fitness centers need to attract a large proportion of eligible employees who are at risk for CVD. The results of studies linking risk factor status and the propensity to join worksite fitness centers have been inconsistent and, to a certain extent, methodologically flawed. This study prospectively follows 294 newly hired employees at a large insurance company in the Midwest. Risk factor status was determined during their orientation week. It was then determined if the employees joined the fitness center during their first year of employment. Results indicate that, overall, risk factor status had little impact on employees' decisions to join the worksite fitness center. However, two of the risk factors (being 20% or more overweight and having elevated systolic blood pressure) had opposite influences on the decisions of male and female employees.