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Results From the Bipartisan Policy Center's CEO Council Physical Activity Challenge to American Business
Jeff Berko1, Ron Z Goetzel, Enid Chung Roemer
1Institute for Health and Productivity Studies, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore (Mr Berko, Dr Goetzel, Dr Roemer, Ms Kent); Truven Health Analytics, an IBM Company, Bethesda, Maryland (Dr Goetzel); and Bipartisan Policy Center, Washington, District of Columbia (Marchibroda).
Objective:
The aim of this study was to describe findings from a survey of employees at 10 businesses participating in the "Building Better Health: Physical Activity Challenge," an effort led by the Bipartisan Policy Center's CEO Council on Health and Innovation.
Methods:
Employers provided employees with pedometers as part of an 8-week Physical Activity Challenge (Challenge). Employees were then asked to complete a survey about their awareness of, participation in, and satisfaction with the Challenge.
Results:
One hundred three thousand three hundred eighty-three employees participated in the Challenge, averaging 6886 steps per day per participant. Of the 3820 respondents to an employee survey sent to all workers, 62% reported enrolling in the program, and of those, the majority reported positive impacts on health (76%), fitness (73%), and lifestyle (70%).
Conclusion:
A brief, workplace-based physical activity challenge can achieve positive self-reported health impacts when supported by senior management of the company.