Growing a Healthy Office

As a participant in the AIM-HI research study, Family Care Health Center in St. Louis was charged with "creating a healthy office" prior to rolling out patient interventions. This meant that physicians and office staff were asked to personally use the AIM-HI tools to make simple changes in their own fitness behaviors.

The staff of 38 embraced the concept. Melissa Marshall, M.D., the clinic's lead physician for the study, first conducted a team meeting where staff talked about fitness goals and completed their own AIM-HI Fitness Prescriptions. Most staff members then paired up with a fitness buddy to give and receive support as they worked on achieving healthy eating, physical activity and emotional well-being goals.

To increase physical activity levels, staff received pedometers and launched "Pedometer Wars," a team steps challenge. Individual winners and the winning team received prizes, such as a Cooking Light cookbook, a basket of gardening tools, a tennis racket and balls, yoga equipment and gift certificates.

The office also looked for ways to promote healthy eating. As a group, staff replaced fast food lunches with homemade, nutrient-rich foods. (One staff member shared that many of the staff had been eating fast-food for lunch every day prior to the AIM-HI research study.) Once the clinic implemented the AIM-HI concepts, there was a noticeable decrease in fast-food lunches. The team also asked pharmaceutical representatives to make healthier selections when they bring food into the office.

Perhaps the most creative healthy office endeavor was the planting of an "AIM-HI Garden." Staff used a small plot behind the clinic to plant an assortment of vegetables. Those who work the garden get their share of the harvest. "It is huge that we have a garden here," said Caroline Day, M.D. "The garden continues to have a very positive effect."

Marshall feels that working toward creating a healthy office promotes camaraderie and raises awareness about fitness choices. In addition, three staff members have quit smoking, several have lost weight, and others have increased the number of steps they take each day. "AIM-HI means to take care of yourself," explains Cynthia Yates Martin, RN. "AIM-HI does not necessarily mean you have to lose weight to feel better. Healthy choices make you feel better."