Embracing Workplace

Wellbeing from a

company perspective

Anne Farrell

Health Promotion Officer – Dublin Bus/Irish Rail /Bus Eireann

RGN,HDIP hsww, Dip HP

18th October 2011- NHF seminar

Gut busters-unique pilot !

The Dublin Bus company in-house health

promotion pilot project for a healthier lifestyle in

bus drivers and other staff.

2006/2007

Background

The National Taskforce on Obesity in Ireland:

“ The public sector, the private sector and the

community and voluntary sectors should work in

partnership to promote healthy eating and active

living to address overweight/obesity.”

Measurements

Height / weight

BMI

Waist circumference

Blood pressure

Cholesterol

Peak flow

Walking, Gym & Dance challenges

Baseline

82% male

72% ‘none’ or ‘mild’ exercise

67% goals health/weight reduction

25% smoke cigarettes

Gender

82%

18%

Male Female

Exercise Habits

6 0 %2 0 %

9 %

11%

Mild Exercise Occas ional Vigerous Exercise

Reg ular Vigerous Exercise Sedentary

Results

GP referrals generated prior to onset

Quantified trend towards reduction in weight, waist circumference, cholesterol, diastolic BP

Positive feedback from participants/families

Winning Team -Clontarf

Overall depot winner:

Clontarf 13 stone lost !

POSITIVE PUBLICITY

Conclusions

Successful short term results

Positive feedback

Limitations: 50% response, time,

resources, resistance, WW fee,

Difficulties with communications

GP concerns

Lead in time too short .

Life Fit

2008-2011

Overview

Life Fit is a national workplace health

promotion initiative and study for

Bus Eireann and Iarnrod Eireann

based in 10 locations

Objectives:Incorporate up to 10% staff participation from both companies over a 1year period commencing on the 28th April 2008

Locations:Dublin : Connolly, Broadstone , Inchicore , HeustonNationwide : Waterford, Athlone, Cork, Limerick Galway Sligo

Collaborations

Management/safety department

Marketing dept

CIE Medical Department

Nutrition and Health Foundation (NHF)

Pfizer

Irish Cancer Society

Irish Heart Foundation

Waterford Institute of Technology

St. James’s Hospital (Pharma Economics Dept.)

Details of the programme Volunteer basis

10 location

4 free One-to-one ½ hour confidential health assessments

Including: cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, body mass

index, cardiac risk assessment, and middle waist

measurements.

Individual personalized health diary with their own results and

health goals they will need to concentrate on for 1 year period.

Details contd…

Initial 8 weeks educational health lectures to provide support

Walking challenge intervention.

NHF Dietitians

Post 8 weeks each participant return for post measurements.

Long term goals set and reviewed at 6 months

Final measurements 1 year post the initial assessment

Results Descriptive statistics:

Average age of the sample- 45 (range 22-64)

66% male.

Total = 494 recruited at baseline 327 completed

study.

93% active participants in the programme at

baseline.

Of the active participants, 65% took part in both

the educational talks and walking challenges,

22% educational talks only and 13% in the

walking challenge only.

RESULTS -CV Risk Factors:

Weight

40% overweight (BMI 25-29.9)

33% obese (BMI >=30).

Blood pressure

Systolic BP was >140mmHg in 32%

Diastolic was > 80mmHg in 51%.

Heart chart score

11-20(caution) in 72%

21-40 (danger) in 17% of the sample.

Mean heart chart score fell by 2.85 from 16.6 to 13.7

Total cholesterol > 5mmol/L in 41%,

Fasting glucose > 7 in 15% of the sample.

Results

There was a statistically significant reduction in

TC, LDL and glucose levels over the 12 month

period.

Quality of life (QoL)

There was a statistically significant improvement

in QoL after 12 months(SF-36v2 questionnaire)

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates the potential benefits of

the Irish Life Fit intervention in terms of

improving cardiovascular risk profile and health

related quality of life.

Over 1 year on Table of Life Fit

Participants(25% return) -Evaluation Sheets

Lost Weight 79%

Maintain Weight Loss 70%

Lower Cholesterol 83%

Cholesterol<5 85%

Lower Blood Pressure 51%

Increased Exercise 89%

Maintained Exercise Increase 75%

Best Part of Course

Information Evenings 20%

Monitoring of Health Status 51.4%

One to one with Nurse 14%

Other 15%

Personal nutrition and exercise planners

Posters on all aspects of health.

Network Events

NHF Tips & Newsletters

Final note of thanks to the NHF

Anne FarrellHealth Promotion Officer – Dublin

Bus/Irish Rail /Bus EireannRGN,HDIP hsww, Dip HP