Participation in a worksite cholesterol education program in a university setting

Three hundred ninety-six employees of a large northeastern university participated in a blood cholesterol screening and provided follow-up data about their participation in a videotape cholesterol education program. Ten percent of these employees watched the videotape program; these individuals were significantly more likely to be at high risk for cardiovascular disease than were persons who chose not to watch the videotape. Persons participating in the cholesterol education program significantly increased their nutrition knowledge and significantly decreased their fat intake compared with nonparticipants. The most important reason given for watching the videotape was "concern about my cholesterol level." Reasons given for not watching the videotape were that it was "not well advertised" or that it was shown "at an inconvenient time." Although all 98 employees at high risk for cardiovascular disease were referred to their physicians for diagnostic evaluation, one third of these employees reported not seeing their physicians. These findings indicate that worksite cholesterol screening and education programs can improve nutrition knowledge and dietary behavior; however, these programs should develop strategies to increase participation and should follow up physician referrals.