Impact of the coronary health improvement project (CHIP) on several employee populations

The greatest potential to improve public health lies in the ability of individuals to adopt healthful behaviors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether participation in a facilitator-based video version of the Coronary Health Improvement Project (CHIP) would improve health behaviors and significantly reduce employee health risks. Employees (n = 442) from six worksites in metropolitan Rockford, Illinois, were used in a pretest/posttest design. Employees self-selected to participate in a facilitator-based, CHIP video program. Participants received instruction twice a week, for 8 weeks, via 15 videos shown at each participating worksite. Demographic and biometric data (body weight, body mass index, blood lipids, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose) were evaluated at baseline and at 8 weeks. All sites individually and collectively demonstrated significant and meaningful reductions in body weight, body mass index, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose. Men demonstrated greater improvement than women, and individuals with higher baseline health risks experienced the greatest reductions in risk. The CHIP video program appears to be an effective method of lowering employee health risks. Future research is needed to determine how long these reductions may persist.