High Stress and Negative Health Behaviors: A Five-Year Wellness Center Member Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the association between having a high stress level and health behaviors in employees of an academic medical center. METHODS: Beginning January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2013, an annual survey was completed by 676 worksite wellness members. RESULTS: Each year, about one-sixth of members had a high stress level, high stress individuals visited the wellness center less often, and most years there was a significant relationship (P < 0.05) between stress level and poor physical health behaviors (physical activity level and confidence, strength, climbing stairs), low mental health (quality of life, support, spiritual well-being and fatigue), poor nutritional habits (habits and confidence), and lower perceived overall health. CONCLUSIONS: High stress is associated with negative health behavior, and future studies, therefore, should explore strategies to effectively engage high stress employees into comprehensive wellness programs.

Effect of a lifestyle therapy program using cardiac rehabilitation resources on metabolic syndrome components.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of a lifestyle therapy program using cardiac rehabilitation (CR) resources for patients at risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: We designed a cardiometabolic program (CMP) using CR facilities and resources. We compared MetS components of 240 patients classified as either obese (body mass index, ≥30 kg/m) or hyperglycemic (fasting glucose, >100 mg/dL): 58 enrolled and completed the CMP, 59 signed up for the CMP but never attended or dropped out early (control 1) but had followup data, and 123 did not sign up for the CMP (control 2). RESULTS: The CMP group showed a significant improvement at 6 weeks in waist circumference, body weight, diastolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol. At 6 months, fasting glucose also improved. In contrast, improvements in control 1 and control 2 were modest at best. Comparing the 6-month changes in the CMP group versus control 1 group, those in the CMP had pronounced weight loss (-4.5 ± 5 kg vs. -0.14 ± 6 kg; P < .001), decreased systolic blood pressure (-1.1 ± 17 mm Hg vs. +9.6 ± 20 mm Hg; P = .004), and decreased diastolic blood pressure (-4.6 ± 11 mm Hg vs. +3.4 ± 15 mm Hg; P = .002). Similarly, comparing CMP group versus control 2 group, body weight (-4.5 ± 5 kg vs. -0.9 ± 3 kg; P < .001) and diastolic blood pressure (-4.6 ± 11 mm Hg vs. -0.7 ± 9 mm Hg; P = .02) declined in the CMP group. CONCLUSION: A lifestyle therapy program using resources of a CR program is effective for individuals who have or are at risk for MetS, although enrollment and completion rates are low.