Mind The Steps”: a community based website to improve a healthy lifestyle at the workplace

Evert Zinzen; Katelijne Verbeiren; Thomas Weemaes; Kristof Michiels; Bart Jansen; Peter Clarys

Abstract

Background: Success of health interventions in the workplace are often depended on the willingness
and motivation of the company management. Purpose: Determine the effect of a website community on
behavioral changes to improve general health in the workplace. Methods: The "Mind the steps" website
was developed to evaluate physical activity (PA) data measured by the Sensewear pro3 (Bodymedia)
sensor. When low PA was noted, improving tips were provided by the website. Questions and remarks
could be shared with all participants or within own groups (community). 4 groups of each 8 subjects were
created based on level of self-mentioned PA. Daily data downloads were performed during a three week
period. One way ANOVA statistics were used to determine differences between groups and between
weeks. A questionnaire was used to determine satisfaction and behavioral change. Results: Groups
differed significantly on PA, no evolution in PA was noted through the weeks. Satisfaction regarding
website was high; all participants, except the high active group, stated they changed PA behavior.
Conclusions: This pilot study indicates that the "Mind the Steps" website can influence behavior to
increase physical activity in a not very active population. A large scale intervention should confirm these results.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Abstract book 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health
Pages	425-425
Number of pages	1
Publication status	Published - 8 May 2010
Event	Finds and Results from the Swedish Cyprus Expedition: A Gender Perspective at the Medelhavsmuseet - Stockholm, Sweden Duration: 21 Sep 2009 → 25 Sep 2009

Conference

Conference	Finds and Results from the Swedish Cyprus Expedition: A Gender Perspective at the Medelhavsmuseet
Country/Territory	Sweden
City	Stockholm
Period	21/09/09 → 25/09/09

Keywords

community based website
promotion physcical activity

BRGEOZ130-B: Addendum 2 bij de samenwerkingovereenkomst "Onderzoeksprogramma rond WiFI architectuur" van 20/12/2007. (Zie eerder ook BRGEOZ130 = Addendum 1)
Cornelis, J. P., Ballon, P., Jansen, B., Zinzen, E., Meeusen, R., Michiels, K., Lievens, B., De Troyer, O., Schelkens, P. & Clarys, P.
15/02/09 → 15/10/09
Project: Fundamental

Cite this

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title = "Mind The Steps”: a community based website to improve a healthy lifestyle at the workplace",

abstract = "Background: Success of health interventions in the workplace are often depended on the willingness and motivation of the company management. Purpose: Determine the effect of a website community on behavioral changes to improve general health in the workplace. Methods: The {"}Mind the steps{"} website was developed to evaluate physical activity (PA) data measured by the Sensewear pro3 (Bodymedia) sensor. When low PA was noted, improving tips were provided by the website. Questions and remarks could be shared with all participants or within own groups (community). 4 groups of each 8 subjects were created based on level of self-mentioned PA. Daily data downloads were performed during a three week period. One way ANOVA statistics were used to determine differences between groups and between weeks. A questionnaire was used to determine satisfaction and behavioral change. Results: Groups differed significantly on PA, no evolution in PA was noted through the weeks. Satisfaction regarding website was high; all participants, except the high active group, stated they changed PA behavior. Conclusions: This pilot study indicates that the {"}Mind the Steps{"} website can influence behavior to increase physical activity in a not very active population. A large scale intervention should confirm these results.",

keywords = "community based website, promotion physcical activity",

author = "Evert Zinzen and Katelijne Verbeiren and Thomas Weemaes and Kristof Michiels and Bart Jansen and Peter Clarys",

year = "2010",

month = may,

day = "8",

language = "English",

pages = "425--425",

booktitle = "Abstract book 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health",

note = "Finds and Results from the Swedish Cyprus Expedition: A Gender Perspective at the Medelhavsmuseet ; Conference date: 21-09-2009 Through 25-09-2009",

}

Zinzen, E , Verbeiren, K, Weemaes, T, Michiels, K, Jansen, B & Clarys, P 2010, Mind The Steps”: a community based website to improve a healthy lifestyle at the workplace. in Abstract book 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health. pp. 425-425, Finds and Results from the Swedish Cyprus Expedition: A Gender Perspective at the Medelhavsmuseet, Stockholm, Sweden, 21/09/09.

Mind The Steps”: a community based website to improve a healthy lifestyle at the workplace. / Zinzen, Evert ; Verbeiren, Katelijne; Weemaes, Thomas; Michiels, Kristof; Jansen, Bart ; Clarys, Peter.

Abstract book 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health. 2010. p. 425-425.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Meeting abstract (Book)

TY - CHAP

T1 - Mind The Steps”: a community based website to improve a healthy lifestyle at the workplace

AU - Zinzen, Evert

AU - Verbeiren, Katelijne

AU - Weemaes, Thomas

AU - Michiels, Kristof

AU - Jansen, Bart

AU - Clarys, Peter

PY - 2010/5/8

Y1 - 2010/5/8

N2 - Background: Success of health interventions in the workplace are often depended on the willingness and motivation of the company management. Purpose: Determine the effect of a website community on behavioral changes to improve general health in the workplace. Methods: The "Mind the steps" website was developed to evaluate physical activity (PA) data measured by the Sensewear pro3 (Bodymedia) sensor. When low PA was noted, improving tips were provided by the website. Questions and remarks could be shared with all participants or within own groups (community). 4 groups of each 8 subjects were created based on level of self-mentioned PA. Daily data downloads were performed during a three week period. One way ANOVA statistics were used to determine differences between groups and between weeks. A questionnaire was used to determine satisfaction and behavioral change. Results: Groups differed significantly on PA, no evolution in PA was noted through the weeks. Satisfaction regarding website was high; all participants, except the high active group, stated they changed PA behavior. Conclusions: This pilot study indicates that the "Mind the Steps" website can influence behavior to increase physical activity in a not very active population. A large scale intervention should confirm these results.

AB - Background: Success of health interventions in the workplace are often depended on the willingness and motivation of the company management. Purpose: Determine the effect of a website community on behavioral changes to improve general health in the workplace. Methods: The "Mind the steps" website was developed to evaluate physical activity (PA) data measured by the Sensewear pro3 (Bodymedia) sensor. When low PA was noted, improving tips were provided by the website. Questions and remarks could be shared with all participants or within own groups (community). 4 groups of each 8 subjects were created based on level of self-mentioned PA. Daily data downloads were performed during a three week period. One way ANOVA statistics were used to determine differences between groups and between weeks. A questionnaire was used to determine satisfaction and behavioral change. Results: Groups differed significantly on PA, no evolution in PA was noted through the weeks. Satisfaction regarding website was high; all participants, except the high active group, stated they changed PA behavior. Conclusions: This pilot study indicates that the "Mind the Steps" website can influence behavior to increase physical activity in a not very active population. A large scale intervention should confirm these results.

KW - community based website

KW - promotion physcical activity

M3 - Meeting abstract (Book)

SP - 425

EP - 425

BT - Abstract book 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health

T2 - Finds and Results from the Swedish Cyprus Expedition: A Gender Perspective at the Medelhavsmuseet

Y2 - 21 September 2009 through 25 September 2009

ER -

Mind The Steps”: a community based website to improve a healthy lifestyle at the workplace

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

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Projects

BRGEOZ130-B: Addendum 2 bij de samenwerkingovereenkomst "Onderzoeksprogramma rond WiFI architectuur" van 20/12/2007. (Zie eerder ook BRGEOZ130 = Addendum 1)

Cite this