Healthy Living Study - Victoria BC

Promoting Healthy Living Among Nurses: a pilot study 

• Hospital Nurses’ Health - Results from research studies suggest that hospital nurses are less healthy than the general population and have a high-risk potential for developing lifestyle-related and chronic diseases linked to physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary intake, and smoking.
• The Impact of the Working Environment on Nurses’ Health - Recently published surveys and reports provide evidence in support of the negative influence of the working environment  (e.g., work stress, low worksite/peer support, high physical demands) on nurses' health. 
• The Nursing Shortage - Harmful lifestyle choices, non-optimal employment and working conditions, and an aging workforce are factors contributing to the development of metabolic conditions (e.g., hypertension, hypoglycemia followed by hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia) and cardiovascular disease. These factors typically lead to increased absenteeism and chronic disability, with a subsequent negative impact on nursing retention.
• Ecological Strategies to Support Behavioral Change - Implementing ecologically-based social, environmental, and policy changes at multiple levels of influence (i.e., individual, groups, workplace/organization, community, society) can have a positive effect on supporting nurses’ behavioral adherence to dietary and physical activity guidelines.
• The Combined Effect of Physical activity and Nutrition - Improved dietary habits and physical activity level can promote nurses’ health and worksite wellness, and reduce their risk of chronic diseases and early withdrawal from the workforce.