According to a study, workplace wellness programs are largely ineffective

April 16 (UPI) – Employees are constantly looking for ways to stay healthy, which requires them to spend more time at work. However, one study indicates that these programs may not produce the desired overall effect.

According to a study published Tuesday by JAMA, workplace wellness programs have led to healthier behaviors, but they have not lowered blood pressure, body mass index and cholesterol.

"Our results show that health-related behaviors can respond to a workplace wellness program, but they also moderate expectations for significant return on investment in the short term," said Zirui Song, Harvard researcher. Medical School and author of the study, in a press release. .

The researchers conducted an 18-month study and found that wellness programs had no significant long-term impact on the workplace. However, employees with wellness programs had higher regular physical activity rates of 8.3% and weight management rates of almost 14% higher than employees without a well-being program. to be in the workplace.

Many employers are introducing workplace wellness programs to reduce employee alcohol consumption, eliminate smoking and stimulate physical activity, while encouraging other health-enhancing behaviors, ultimately increasing employee productivity.

"When assessing the potential benefits of a workplace wellness program, it is essential to distinguish confounding factors." Companies that choose to participate in this program may have employees already more concerned and those employees who choose to participate may have different health profiles from those who do not, "said Katherine Baicker, a researcher at the University of Chicago and author of the study, in a press release. "Our study allows us to isolate the effect of the program itself from these confounders."

This study showed that researchers should be cautious about the effectiveness of wellness programs on employee behaviors, which lead to better health outcomes.

"As we better understand how to encourage healthy behavior, workplace wellness programs may play an important role in improving health and reducing the cost of care." of health, "said Song. "For the time being, however, we should remain cautious about our expectations of such interventions." Rigorous research to measure the effects of such programs can help us better spend the company's funds. in the field of health and well-being. "