Nur Suffia Sulaiman
Cardiovascular Unit, Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
*Corresponding author: Nur Suffia Sulaiman, Cardiovascular Unit, Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia,
CITATION: Sulaiman NS. Healthy worker programme for weight management and quality of working life improvement: a quasi-experimental study protocol. International Medical Research Journal. 2022;8(1):1–10.
ABSTRACT
Sedentary work and lifestyle, coupled with unhealthy diets, contribute towards obesity and increase risks for early development of non-communicable diseases. The workplace is a good place for lifestyle intervention for weight management. Physical activity promotion at the workplace has also resulted in improved job satisfaction and reduced work stress. Quality of working life (QOWL) is important for retaining and attracting employees to a workplace. This study aimed to evaluate the Healthy Worker Programme physical activity and dietary intake workplace interventions for weight management and improvement of quality of working life. A quasi-experimental study was used to evaluate a 6-month Healthy Worker Programme, based on the socio-ecological model, it promoted healthy diets and physical activity. It included workplace environmental modification, co-worker and individual motivation. The programme was carried out at a worksite while another worksite with no health programme was the control site. Primary outcomes were weight and body mass index. Secondary outcomes were physical activity, dietary intake and QOWL. Assessments of outcomes were conducted at baseline, third and sixth months of the programme. The sustainability of the programme was assessed three months after the programme ended. There is a lack of workplace physical activity and dietary intake interventions in Malaysia and sustainability of health changes. If the Healthy Worker Programme reduces weight among overweight and obese workers, improves QOWL and is sustainable, it would be beneficial to workers and the organisation. This may reduce productivity loss and healthcare burden costs.
KEYWORDS: Obesity, Health Promotion, Occupational Health, Quality of Working Life, Lifestyle Intervention
