Background: Success of health interventions in the workplace are often depended on the willingness and motivation of the company management. Purpose: Determine the effect of a website community on behavioral changes to improve general health in the workplace. Methods: The {"}Mind the steps{"} website was developed to evaluate physical activity (PA) data measured by the Sensewear pro3 (Bodymedia) sensor. When low PA was noted, improving tips were provided by the website. Questions and remarks could be shared with all participants or within own groups (community). 4 groups of each 8 subjects were created based on level of self-mentioned PA. Daily data downloads were performed during a three week period. One way ANOVA statistics were used to determine differences between groups and between weeks. A questionnaire was used to determine satisfaction and behavioral change. Results: Groups differed significantly on PA, no evolution in PA was noted through the weeks. Satisfaction regarding website was high; all participants, except the high active group, stated they changed PA behavior. Conclusions: This pilot study indicates that the {"}Mind the Steps{"} website can influence behavior to increase physical activity in a not very active population. A large scale intervention should confirm these results.
Zinzen, E, Verbeiren, K, Weemaes, T, Michiels, K, Jansen, B & Clarys, P 2010, Mind The Steps”: a community based website to improve a healthy lifestyle at the workplace. in Abstract book 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health. pp. 425-425, Finds and Results from the Swedish Cyprus Expedition: A Gender Perspective at the Medelhavsmuseet, Stockholm, Sweden, 21/09/09.
Zinzen, E., Verbeiren, K., Weemaes, T., Michiels, K., Jansen, B., & Clarys, P. (2010). Mind The Steps”: a community based website to improve a healthy lifestyle at the workplace. In Abstract book 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health (pp. 425-425)
@inbook{edbedd3508014a95a94d41f8bb9561f4,
title = "Mind The Steps”: a community based website to improve a healthy lifestyle at the workplace",
abstract = "Background: Success of health interventions in the workplace are often depended on the willingness and motivation of the company management. Purpose: Determine the effect of a website community on behavioral changes to improve general health in the workplace. Methods: The {"}Mind the steps{"} website was developed to evaluate physical activity (PA) data measured by the Sensewear pro3 (Bodymedia) sensor. When low PA was noted, improving tips were provided by the website. Questions and remarks could be shared with all participants or within own groups (community). 4 groups of each 8 subjects were created based on level of self-mentioned PA. Daily data downloads were performed during a three week period. One way ANOVA statistics were used to determine differences between groups and between weeks. A questionnaire was used to determine satisfaction and behavioral change. Results: Groups differed significantly on PA, no evolution in PA was noted through the weeks. Satisfaction regarding website was high; all participants, except the high active group, stated they changed PA behavior. Conclusions: This pilot study indicates that the {"}Mind the Steps{"} website can influence behavior to increase physical activity in a not very active population. A large scale intervention should confirm these results.",
keywords = "community based website, promotion physcical activity",
author = "Evert Zinzen and Katelijne Verbeiren and Thomas Weemaes and Kristof Michiels and Bart Jansen and Peter Clarys",
year = "2010",
month = may,
day = "8",
language = "English",
pages = "425--425",
booktitle = "Abstract book 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health",
note = "Finds and Results from the Swedish Cyprus Expedition: A Gender Perspective at the Medelhavsmuseet ; Conference date: 21-09-2009 Through 25-09-2009",
}