A survey of health-related behaviour among staff employed by a health authority and its implications

Abstract

IN 1990, 870 staff employed by Leeds Eastern Health Authority were surveyed to discover their attitudes and behaviour as they related to exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption and diet. Factors were identified which prevent, or might encourage, more exercise. The profile was as follows: 21.9 per cent were smokers, of whom 59.3 per cent wanted to stop; 13.5 per cent of males, and 4.5 per cent of females consumed more than the recommended safe levels of alcohol, of whom the majority were either unsure whether their current intake was harmful or did not think it was. Responders were well informed about healthy dietary habits, but 24.6 per cent had body mass indices in excess of 25 kg/m 2. Based on the results of this study, various workplace policies are being initiated or reviewed.