SP1-54 Results of a 3-year workplace wellness program among a work cohort in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

IntroductionWorkplace wellness programs are proven to be an important strategy to prevent cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Therefore, a workplace wellness program was conducted among a work cohort in Kuala Lumpur with the aim of improving risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke.MethodsThis was an open cohort where all employees aged 35 years and above in the workplace were invited to participate in the wellness program. This program involved voluntary yearly screening with results dissemination, lifestyle counselling or referral for medical treatment when necessary. Ethics clearance and informed consent were obtained. Fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, blood pressure, weight, height and waist circumference were measured following standard protocols. This paper will report the findings over a period of 3 years (2008–2010).ResultsMajority of this cohort (n=1923) were Malays (77.9%), followed by Chinese (8.4%), Indians (9.9%) and others (3.8%). The proportion of female participants was 53%. The mean age of this cohort was 48.5+5.2 years at baseline. In the General Linear Model, after adjusted for race and sex, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels were significantly improved after 3 years. Their mean (95% CI) total cholesterol levels over the 3 years (2008–2010) were 5.59 (95% CI 5.49 to 5.69), 5.47 (5.40 to 5.55) and 5.39 (5.32 to 5.47) mmol/l respectively. The mean LDL cholesterol levels were 3.59 (3.52 to 3.66), 3.49 (3.43 to 3.26) and 3.33 (3.56 to 3.40) mmol/l respectively.ConclusionsOur findings show that low intensity workplace wellness program is effective in improving some cardiovascular risk factors.