27597795

PMC5365378

Purpose

To examine the workplace food and physical activity environments and wellness culture reported by employed United States adults, overall and by employer size.

Design

Cross-sectional study using web-based survey on wellness polices and environmental supports for healthy eating and physical activity

Setting

Worksites in the United States

Subjects

2,101 adults employed outside of the home

Measures

Survey items were based on CDC Worksite Health Scorecard and Checklist of Health Promotion Environments and included availability and promotion of healthy food items; nutrition education; promotion of breastfeeding; availability of physical activity amenities and programs; facility discounts; time for physical activity; stairwell signage; health promotion programs and health risk assessments.

Analysis

Descriptive statistics were used to examine the prevalence of worksite environmental and facility supports by employer size (<100 or ≥100 employees). Chi-Square tests were used to examine differences by employer size.

Results

Among employed respondents with workplace food or drink vending machines, approximately 35% indicated the availability of healthy items. Regarding physical activity, 30.9% of respondents reported that their employer provided opportunities to be physically active and 17.6% reported worksite exercise facilities. Wellness programs were reported by 53.2% working for large employers, compared with 18.1% for smaller employers.

Conclusion

Employee reports suggested that workplace supports for healthy eating, physical activity, and wellness were limited, and were less common among smaller employers.

CDC Public Access

CC999999/Intramural CDC HHS/United States