Promoting Healthy Workplaces — Health pledges initiative at North Kirklees Primary Care Trust, NHS, England

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of health promotion activities targeting physical activity, healthy eating, smoking and stress management as a part of healthy workplace initiative at North Kirklees Primary Care Trust, England.Methods: The quasi-experimental interventional study was conducted from April 2005 to March 2006 and involved all the employees of the North Kirklees Primary Care Trust, England, who were willing to participate. Main interventions were; lunch-time walk, motivational interviews, counselling and support sessions from qualified dieticians, physical activity and smoking cessation advisors. Free occupational therapy sessions were provided at the workplace. Incentives like discounted vouchers for sports club and the gymnasium were also given. Pre- and post-intervention data was collected and analysed using SPSS version 17.Results: Of the total, 57 (42%) pledged to undertake physical activity; 50 (37%) healthy eating; 20 (15%) mental and emotional well-being; and 8 (6%) to quit smoking. Statistically significant associations were found between different health promotion activities like physical activity (p =0.004), healthy eating (p = 0.003), stress management and stop smoking (p = 0.001) at the workplace.Conclusion: Workplace is a potentially valuable setting for health promotional activities for primary prevention and may facilitate lifestyle modification