Impact of Worksite Health Program on Overweight Civil Servants
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Effects of a Worksite Health Programme on the Improvement of Physical Health among Overweight and Obese Civil Servants: A Pilot Study
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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Original source:
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Ayiesah RAMLI, Leonard Joseph HENRY, York Fuan LIANG, Jyh Yun BEH
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: Effects of a Worksite Health Programme on the Improvement of Physical Health among Overweight and Obese Civil Servants: A Pilot Study
Year: 2013
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Obesity is increasingly recognized as a significant public health concern, particularly in sedentary work environments. With declining physical activity levels and increased energy intake, office workers are at heightened risk for obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a worksite health program designed for obese civil servants, focusing on improving their physical health through structured exercise and dietary education over six months.
Impact on Body Composition and Fitness
The results demonstrated that participants experienced significant reductions in body fat percentages, improved cardiovascular fitness, abdominal strength, and lower body flexibility. However, these changes did not translate into significant weight loss or improvements in self-reported physical activity levels. This indicates a nuanced relationship between exercise interventions and perceived fitness, underscoring the complexity of behavioral change in overweight individuals. The study highlights the importance of comprehensive health programs that combine physical activity with nutrition education to foster improvements in health metrics like body composition and physical fitness.
Conclusion
In summary, the six-month worksite health program effectively enhanced physical fitness and reduced body fat among participants, despite not affecting self-perceived physical activity levels. The findings emphasize the potential benefits of workplace health initiatives for managing obesity, but they also suggest the need for further research with a larger sample size and a control group to confirm these outcomes and better understand the dynamics of behavior change in overweight individuals.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What was the objective of the worksite health programme study?
The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a worksite health programme designed to improve physical health among obese civil servants, specifically targeting physical inactivity and obesity among office workers.
What methods were used in the health programme?
The programme involved 28 participants engaging in six months of unsupervised exercise sessions twice a week and monthly dietary education sessions. Physical fitness and body fat percentage were assessed at baseline and after six months using statistical analysis.
What were the significant results of the study?
Participants showed significant improvements in body fat percentage, maximum oxygen uptake, abdominal endurance, and flexibility. However, there were no significant changes in body mass or self-perceived levels of physical activity.
What conclusions were drawn from the study's findings?
The health programme effectively improved physical fitness and body fat reduction among participants, even without altering their self-perceptions regarding physical activity, emphasizing the need for further studies to confirm the findings.
Glossary definitions and references:
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