Am J Health Promot

Purpose

To explore the availability and utilization of workplace health supports by employees of small and large-sized employers.

Design

Cross-sectional telephone-based interviews collected on 16 workplace health supports for physical activity and diet.

Setting

Participants selected by random-digit-dialing from four metropolitan areas of Missouri employees from 2012-2013.

Participants

2,015 working adults.

Methods

We explored the availability and use of supports by employer size (<100 employees versus ≥100 employees), accounting for industry and personal factors.

Analysis

We examined distributions and Poisson regression models of availability of supports by employer size and by industry, and use of supports by employer size and personal factors.

Results

One-fifth of the 1,796 employees were employed by small-sized employers. Large employers offered more supports than small (mean: 6 versus 3); but a higher proportion of employees of small-sized employers used supports when available (59% versus 47%). The differences in offered supports between industries were not due to size alone. In regards to the determinants of participation, the personal factors of gender, age, weight, and income were associated with participation in ten of the supports. Employer size was also associated with participation in ten supports. No associations were found between personal factors or workplace size and participation for three supports.

Conclusion

A higher proportion of employees working for smaller businesses use available supports than employees of larger businesses. Supports offered by employers should target the needs and interests of the workforce, particularly for the higher risk low-income employees.

29699422

PMC6432795

Journal Article

CDC Public Access