The SHIELD (safety & health improvement: Enhancing law enforcement departments) study mixed methods longitudinal findings

Kerry S. Kuehl, Diane L. Elliot, David P. MacKinnon, Holly P. O'Rourke, Carol DeFrancesco, Milica Miocevic, Matthew Valente, Adriana Sleigh, Bharti Garg, Wendy McGinnis, Hannah Kuehl

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

The SHIELD (Safety &Health Improvement: Enhancing Law Enforcement Departments) Study is a worksite wellness team-based intervention among police and sheriff departments assessing the program's effectiveness to reduce occupational risks and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. The SHIELD program focused on improving diet, physical activity, body weight and sleep, and reducing the effects of unhealthy stress and behaviors, such as tobacco and substance abuse. The SHIELD team-based health promotion program was found to be feasible and effective at 6 months in improving diet, sleep, stress, and overall quality of life of law enforcement department personnel. Both intervention and control groups were followed for 24 months, and we report those durability findings, along with qualitative group interview results that provide insight into the changes of the long-term outcomes. Long-term effects were observed for consumption of fruits and vegetables, and there was some evidence for effects on tobacco and alcohol use. Assessment of dietary habits, physical activity behaviors, weight loss maintenance, and substance use is rare more than 1 year following an intervention, and in general, initial positive changes do not persist in prior research. The SHIELD program was feasible, effective, and durable for improving dietary changes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)492-498
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of occupational and environmental medicine
Volume58
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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