| The purpose of this research study is to identify and quantify demographic, worksite and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor variables that affect response to healthy lifestyle change options in a worker population.;Questionnaires on individual risk for CVD and intent to participate in CVD risk reduction programs were administered to 2631 employees of 21 industries in Buffalo, NY. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The dependent variables include responses to various options to improve cardiovascular health. The independent variables studied are age, sex, size and type of industry, knowledge of one's own cholesterol level, and absence or single or multiple presence of three risk factors for CVD: smoking, excess relative weight, and elevated blood pressure.;Results show that a large proportion of the workers studied are at low to moderate risk of CVD. Eighty-five percent of the study population has no or only one of the risk factors for CVD under study.;A gender difference is observed in response to all lifestyle change options offered: Women are more likely to respond than men. Nonsmokers and workers who know their blood serum cholesterol level are also more likely to respond. Excess relative weight is a significant explanatory variable in all positive responses to lifestyle change options. Blood pressure status does not have a predictive value in the analysis of any response. Simple number of risk factors present, therefore, does not determine response to risk reduction options. A more complicated pattern is evident.;Smokers are analyzed separately. No explanatory factors were identified in response to smoking cessation options (explanation of variance 1%). Responses to lifestyle change options in weight reduction and in nutrition/general health among smokers are similar to those of the study population.;Implications of this research for the further development of worksite health promotion programs are presented. Results of this study support the view that social change in individual lifestyle behavior must occur in the broad orientation of society. Further study of factors in the organization and interpersonal incentives in the workplace could provide a baseline for focused action to change social norms. |
