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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Karen T. Boulanger, BA, Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, 741 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803, 319-884-5160, Boulanger_k@palmer.edu and Sharon Stine, BS, Palmer College of Chiropractic, 1000 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803.
Healthy People 2010 included a goal to increase the proportion of worksites that offer employer-sponsored physical activity and fitness programs from 44% to 75%. A survey at a chiropractic college confirmed the need to address spinal hygiene, physical fitness, and weight control; 56% of employees reported a lack of regular exercise. This effort evaluates a 12-week chiropractic wellness program for employees, students, and their spouses. The three objectives of the program are to 1) Increase the proportion of students and employees who have their spines regularly checked as measured by documentation from each participant’s chiropractor, 2) Improve participants’ body composition by promotion and use of fitness activities and good nutrition behaviors as measured by caliper testing at baseline, 6-week, and 12-week intervals, and 3) Improve the Global Well Being (GWB) scores at the same intervals. One hundred teams of two participants each registered for the program and were supplied with college and community resources. Participants accumulate points by obtaining chiropractic check-ups, losing body fat, gaining lean muscle mass, and completing outcome measures. Incentives include participants’ names entered into a 6 and 12-week drawing for prizes as well as cash prizes for the three teams with the most points at the conclusion of the program. The baseline GWB mean score of the 200 participants was 59.8; mean female body fat 33.8%; mean male body fat 25.9%. Six and 12-week results along with recommendations for improvement and expansion will also be presented.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.