Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2012 Mar 19:12:200.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-200.

Effectiveness of a web-based health risk assessment with individually-tailored feedback on lifestyle behaviour: study protocol

Eva K Laan  1 , Roderik A Kraaijenhagen, Niels Peek, Wim B Busschers, Marije Deutekom, Patrick M Bossuyt, Karien Stronks, Marie-Louise Essink-Bot
Affiliations

Effectiveness of a web-based health risk assessment with individually-tailored feedback on lifestyle behaviour: study protocol

Eva K Laan et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary habits, smoking and high alcohol consumption are recognized risk factors for cardiovascular disease and cancer. Web-based health risk assessments with tailored feedback seem promising in promoting a healthy lifestyle. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a web-based health risk assessment with individually-tailored feedback on lifestyle behaviour, conducted in a worksite setting.

Methods/design: The web-based health risk assessment starts with a questionnaire covering socio-demographic variables, family and personal medical history, lifestyle behaviour and psychological variables. Prognostic models are used to estimate individual cardiovascular risks. In case of high risk further biometric and laboratory evaluation is advised. All participants receive individually-tailored feedback on their responses to the health risk assessment questionnaire. The study uses a quasi-experimental design with a waiting list control group. Data are collected at baseline (T0) and after six months (T1). Within each company, clusters of employees are allocated to either the intervention or the control group. Primary outcome is lifestyle behaviour, expressed as the sum of five indicators namely physical activity, nutrition, smoking behaviour, alcohol consumption, and symptoms of burnout. Multilevel regression analysis will be used to answer the main research question and to correct for clustering effects. Baseline differences between the intervention and control group in the distribution of characteristics with a potential effect on lifestyle change will be taken into account in further analyses using propensity scores.

Discussion: This study will increase insight into the effectiveness of health risk assessments with tailored feedback and into conditions that may modify the effectiveness. This information can be used to design effective interventions for lifestyle behaviour change among employees.

Trial registration: Dutch Trial Register NTR8148.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic overview of the participation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. World Health Organization. Burden: mortality, morbidity and risk factors. In Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2010. Geneva; 2011.
    1. Hildebrandt VH, Ooijendijk WTM, Hopman-Rock M, editor. Trendrapport Bewegen en Gezondheid 2006/2007 [Trend Report Physical Activity and Health 2006/2007] Leiden, Netherlands, TNO; 2008.
    1. Kemper HCG, Ooijendijk M, Stiggelbout M. Consensus over de Nederlandse norm voor gezond bewegen [Consensus about the Dutch guideline for healthy physical activity] Tijdschrift voor gezondheidswetenschappen. 2000;78:180–183.
    1. Hulshof KFAM, Ocké MC, van Rossem CTM, Buurma-Rethans EJM, Brants HAM, Drijvers JJMM, ter Doest D. Resultaten van de Voedselconsumptiepeiling 2003 [Results of the national food consumption survey 2003] (in Dutch RIVM Rapport 350030002) Netherlands, RIVM: Bilthoven; 2004.
    1. Schoemaker CG, Hoeymans N, Melse JM, editor. Volksgezondheid toekomst verkenning; deelrapport Gezondheid en determinanten [Public Health Forecast; Health and determinants.] (in Dutch RIVM Rapport 270061006) Bilthoven, Netherlands, RIVM; 2010.

Publication types

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources