An Evaluation of Army Wellness Center Clients' Health-Related Outcomes. Issue 7 (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rivera, L. Omar; Ford, Jessica Danielle; Hartzell, Meredith Marie; Hoover, Todd Allan
• Is Part Of: American journal of health promotion. Volume 32:Issue 7(2018)
• Page Start: 1526
• Page End: 1536
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: population health -- employee assistance programs -- workplace -- primary prevention -- military -- fitness -- nutrition -- stress management -- weight control -- army wellness centers; Health promotion -- Periodicals; Health Promotion; Health promotion; Periodicals; Periodicals; 613.05
• DOI: 10.1177/0890117117753184
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0890-1171

Abstract

Purpose: To examine whether Army community members participating in a best-practice based workplace health promotion program (WHPP) experience goal-moderated improvements in health-related outcomes. Design: Pretest/posttest outcome evaluation examining an autonomously participating client cohort over 1 year. Setting: Army Wellness Center facilities on 19 Army installations. Participants: Army community members sample (N = 5703), mostly Active Duty Soldiers (64%). Intervention: Assessment of health risks with feedback, health assessments, health education classes, and health coaching sessions conducted by health educators at a recommended frequency of once a month for 3 to 12 months. Measures: Initial and follow-up outcome assessments of body mass index (BMI), body fat, cardiorespiratory fitness, blood pressure, and perceived stress. Analysis: Mixed model linear regression testing for goal-moderated improvements in outcomes. Results: Clients experienced significant improvements in body fat (−2% change), perceived stress (−6% to −12% change), cardiorespiratory fitness (+6% change), and blood pressure (−1% change) regardless of health-related goal. Only clients with a weight loss goal experienced BMI improvement (−1% change). Follow-up outcome assessment rates ranged from 44% (N = 2509) for BMI to 6% (N = 342) for perceived stress. Conclusion: Army Wellness Center clients with at least 1 follow-up outcome assessment experienced improvements in military readiness correlates and chronic disease risk factors. Evaluation design and follow-up-related limitations notwithstanding results suggest that best practices in WHPPs can effectively serve a globally distributed military force.