This study is unique in revealing the effects of a WWP on multiple domains of psychological well-being. Given rising healthcare costs associated with mental health, targeting mental health through WWP may be an effective strategy for reducing indirect healthcare costs associated with absenteeism and presenteeism.

Background Workplace wellness programs (WWP) offer physiological and psychological benefits to employees and financial and productivity benefits to employers. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented in-person sessions and has required WWP’s to transition to online platforms. The purpose of this brief report was to assess the preliminary feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a mobile version of the Bruin Health Improvement Program (BHIP mobile) WWP. Methods Participants virtually attended (i.e., via Zoom) twice weekly physical activity sessions and a once weekly nutrition seminar for 10-weeks with the option of a 30-minute one-on-one consultation with a registered dietician. Demographics, anthropometric indices, stress, muscular endurance, and aerobic fitness were assessed at baseline and follow-up. All analyses were conducted in SPSS v. 27. Results Twenty-seven participants (96% female) enrolled and 13 (100% female) completed the 10-week program. There were significant reductions in bodyweight ( p < .01) and body mass index ( p < .02) but not stress ( p > .05), and significant increases in muscular endurance ( p < .01) but not aerobic fitness ( p > .05). Overall, BHIP mobile appears to be acceptable to participants but logistical concerns such as inconsistent internet connection was noted as potential downfalls. Conclusions/Applications to Practice Improvements in health outcome among completers of a mobile WWP were promising. Completer feedback highlighted program strengths as the flexibility and comfort of attending exercise sessions and nutrition classes from home. Future versions of the program will allocate resources to improve completion and expand appeal for men and women.

Background Research investigating the efficacy of workplace wellness programmes to promote exercise, and by extension, reduce obesity and increase productivity has proliferated in recent years. Although preliminary work is encouraging, more work is needed. Aims To evaluate the effects and overall cost of a workplace exercise programme on multiple physical outcomes, including body mass index, aerobic fitness and muscular fitness. Methods Data from the Bruin Health Improvement Programme .5 (BHIP) between August 2013 and July 2018 were analysed. BHIP is a 12-week workplace wellness programme that assesses multiple areas of physical and mental health. For this study, changes in weight, waist-to-hip ratio, aerobic fitness and muscular endurance were analysed using paired samples t-tests and chi-squared tests. Using results from a prior analysis of Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the estimated medical expenditure savings associated with weight loss were also analysed. Results A total of 518 participants (84% female) took part in the BHIP programme (mean age = 41 years, SD = 1.17). There were significant decreases in all anthropometric indices and significant increases in all fitness outcomes (P &lt; 0.01) from baseline to follow-up. Estimated programme cost per participant, per session was $473 US Dollars (USD), and weight loss is estimated to reduce annual medical care costs by ~$2200 USD. Conclusions Results showed significant improvements in all physical outcomes of interest. Additionally, there appears to be an inverse relationship between improvements in employee health and employer healthcare costs. Strengths, limitations and future directions are discussed.

Background Type 2 diabetes can negatively impact long term health outcomes, healthcare costs and quality of life. However, intensive lifestyle interventions, including the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), can significantly lower risk of incident type 2 diabetes among overweight adults with prediabetes. Unfortunately, the majority of adults in the US who are at risk of developing diabetes do not engage in DPP-based lifestyle change programs. Increased adoption of evidence-based obesity and diabetes prevention interventions, such as the DPP, may help large employers reduce health risks and improve health outcomes among employees. In 2018, the University of California Office of thePresident (UCOP) implemented the UC DPP Initiative, a novel, multi-component program to address diabetes and obesity prevention across the UC system. Methods The goal of our study is to conduct a multifaceted evaluation of the UC DPP Initiative using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. Our evaluation will integrate unique and diverse UC data sources, including electronic health record (EHR) data, administrative claims, campus-based DPP cohort data, qualitative interviews and site visits. Our primary outcome of interest is the mean percent weight change among three groups of overweight/obese UC beneficiaries at risk for diabetes at 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes include mean percent weight change at 24-month follow-up, barriers and facilitators associated with implementatio, as well as  the degree of program adoption and maintenance. Discussion Our study will help inform diabetes and obesity prevention efforts across the UC system. Findings from this evaluation will also be highly applicable to universities and large employers, as well as community organizers, healthcare organizations and insurers implementing the DPP and/or other health promotion interventions.

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