Workplace health promotion: what public-sector employees want, need, and are ready to change

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether employees selected appropriate health change targets (HCTs) compared with self-reported lifestyle factors (smoking, nutrition, alcohol, physical activity [PA], sedentariness, weight status, and psychological distress) and readiness to change their HCT. METHODS: Cross-sectional data of 3367 state-government employees from Tasmania, Australia, were collected in 2010. RESULTS: Overall, respondents chose HCTs relevant to their health behaviors. The most frequently selected HCTs were PA, diet, and weight. The majority was in the "action" stage for their HCT, except for those nominating smoking cessation, changes to work characteristics, and moderating alcohol intake. CONCLUSIONS: Employee perceptions of their own health needs broadly corresponded to their health-related behaviors, weight status, and stress. Workplace health facilitators should be prepared for variable uptake on smoking cessation programs. Physical activity interventions are likely well received, irrespective of risk-related lifestyle factors.