Impact of School Staff Health on Work Productivity in Secondary Schools in Massachusetts1. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alker, Heather J.; Wang, Monica L.; Pbert, Lori; Thorsen, Nancy; Lemon, Stephenie C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of school health. Volume 85:Number 6(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 398
• Page End: 404
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: School health services -- Periodicals; School children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; School Health Services -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; 371.71
• DOI: 10.1111/josh.12266
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4391

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="josh12266-abs-0001"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec id="josh12266-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>BACKGROUND</title> <p id="josh12266-para-0001">Healthy, productive employees are an integral part of school health programs. There have been few assessments of work productivity among secondary school staff. This study describes the frequency of 3 common health risk factors—obesity, depressive symptoms, and smoking—and their impact on work productivity in secondary school employees.</p> </sec> <sec id="josh12266-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>METHODS</title> <p id="josh12266-para-0002">Employees of secondary schools in Massachusetts (N = 630) participated in a longitudinal weight gain prevention intervention study. Assessment completed at baseline, 1‐year and 2‐year follow‐up included survey assessments of health risk factors as well as measurements for height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). The survey also included a depression inventory and Work Limitations Questionnaire. Data analysis included multivariate mixed effect models to identify productivity differences in relation to BMI, depressive symptoms, and smoking in this population stratified by position type (teacher and other school staff).</p> </sec> <sec id="josh12266-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>RESULTS</title> <p id="josh12266-para-0003">The sample included 361 teachers and 269 other school staff. Obesity, depressive symptoms, and smoking were significantly associated with work productivity, including workdays missed because of health concerns (<italic>absenteeism</italic>) and decreases in on‐the‐job productivity because of health concerns (<italic>presenteeism</italic>).</p> </sec> <sec id="josh12266-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> <p id="josh12266-para-0004">Three common health conditions, namely obesity, depressive symptoms, and smoking, adversely affect the productivity of high school employees.</p> </sec> </abstract>