A study of environmental factors influencing obesity in the workplace Presented by: Crissy Rowland & Jagdish Khubchandani Faculty Mentor- Dr. Cecilia Watkins, PhD Western Kentucky University Department of Public Health

Overview A research project that aims to conduct focus groups in an industrial setting which will provide information to design surveys on “employees perceptions of environmental factors that influence obesity at workplace” A research project that aims to conduct focus groups in an industrial setting which will provide information to design surveys on “employees perceptions of environmental factors that influence obesity at workplace”

Why study obesity epidemic.. Obesity rates Kentucky Ranking in US for obesity statistics Obesity rates Kentucky Ranking in US for obesity statistics Adult- State- 25% National- 65% Adult- State- 25% National- 65% Child State-17% National- 30% Child State-17% National- 30%

Reason for the Study: Examine the influence of perceptions on obesity at the workplace Examine the influence of perceptions on obesity at the workplace To conduct research or to document: To conduct research or to document: the effectiveness of physical education programs in reducing obesity the effectiveness of physical education programs in reducing obesity increasing activity levels increasing activity levels improving fitness improving fitness encouraging healthy eating encouraging healthy eating

Worksites in USA Institutional Administrative Administrative Manufacturing Manufacturing Professional Professional Retail Industry Retail Industry

What contributes to poor lifestyle choices in the Worksite? Time Time Shift Shift Stress Stress Salary Salary Cafeteria Cafeteria Worksite Gym Worksite Gym Job Profile Job Profile

Perceptions: Why are they important? Why are they important? How perceptions and behaviors are connected? How perceptions and behaviors are connected?

Methodology: Ecological theory Ecological theory

Methodology continued: Pilot Pilot Conducted at Western Kentucky University with 25 students in a group of 2 Conducted at Western Kentucky University with 25 students in a group of 2 Focus groups Four focus groups of 7 people each Four focus groups of 7 people each Design Design Statewide survey of 5 industries with 2000 survey questionnaires returned Statewide survey of 5 industries with 2000 survey questionnaires returned

Results Analyzing results Analyzing results Statistical analysis of variables adapted from responses of questionnaires returned from each industry Statistical analysis of variables adapted from responses of questionnaires returned from each industry Results Results Priority wise listing of all issues found in survey Priority wise listing of all issues found in survey

Addressing Issues that we found: Questionnaire points Questionnaire points Issues with: Issues with: Policy Policy Environment Environment Lifestyle Lifestyle

Post Project: Possible interventions Possible interventions Examples: tax break for implementing worksite wellness programs Examples: tax break for implementing worksite wellness programs New things: policies, built environment New things: policies, built environment big changes vs. individual changes big changes vs. individual changes

Contact Information: Dr. Cecilia Watkins- Dr. Cecilia Watkins- Crissy Rowland- Crissy Rowland- Jagdish Khubchandani- Jagdish Khubchandani-

Questions???

Thank you for your TIME!