Changes in Men's Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Knowledge and Behavior as a Result of Program Exposure: Findings From the Workplace POWERPLAY Program.

J Phys Act Health. 2016 Sep 6:1-25. [Epub ahead of print]

Caperchione CM1, Stolp S2, Bottorff JL3, Oliffe JL4, Johnson ST5, Seaton C2, Sharp P2, Jones-Bicker M6, Lamont S7, Errey S7, Healy T8, Medhurst K9, Christian H8, Klitch M6.

Author information

• 11 Department of Health and Exercise Sciences; University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada.
• 22 Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention; University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada.
• 33 Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention and School of Nursing; University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada.
• 44 School of Nursing; University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada.
• 55 Department of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University, Athabasca, Alberta, Canada.
• 66 British Columbia and Yukon Division, Canadian Cancer Society, Prince George, BC, Canada.
• 77 Prevention Program, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
• 88 Population Health Department, Northern Health, Prince George, BC, Canada.
• 99 Provincial Health Services Authority, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Prince George, BC, Canada.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in physical activity and healthy eating knowledge and behaviors associated with the level of exposure to POWERPLAY, a men-centered workplace health promotion program.

METHODS:

This study is based on a quasi-experimental pre-post design. Using a computer assisted telephone interview survey, data regarding program exposure and physical activity and health eating knowledge and behaviors were collected from men (N=103) in 4 workplaces.

RESULTS:

Exposure scores were calculated and participants were categorized as having low (n=54) or high exposure (n=49) to POWERPLAY. Compared to the low exposure group, those reporting high exposure scored significantly higher on physical activity knowledge (F (1, 99) =14.17, p < .001, eta2 = .125) and health eating knowledge (F (1, 99) =14.37, p = .001, eta2 = .111). The high exposure group also reported significantly more minutes walked place to place (F (2, 206) = 3.91, p = .022, eta2 = .037) and on minutes walked for leisure (F (2, 230) = 3.08, p = .048, eta2 = .026).

CONCLUSIONS:

POWERPLAY shows significant promise as a workplace health promotion approach and may have an even greater impact when program exposure is augmented with environmental and policy changes.

KEYWORDS:

community based research; gender; health behavior; health promotion; interventions