Introduction Since most working Americans spend one third of their day at a worksite, worksite wellness programs (WWP) provide an avenue for promotion of healthy lifestyles and may reduce health risks.

Objective The purpose of this study is to describe the health trends in the WWP and identify differences between WWP participants and non-WWP workers.

Methods Health data collected from WWP participants at a US Department of Energy National Laboratory was compared to other site personnel who visited Occupational Health services during program years 2013 to 2019. Data were analyzed continuously and categorically, and analyses were conducted in SAS and R.

Results The number of participants in the WWP varied each year (range: 1,463–2,556), with participation slightly declining in later years. Overall, the percentage of those with normal blood pressure declined from 44.7% in 2013 to 29.9% in 2019, while those with a normal total cholesterol increased from 58% in 2013 to 67.2% in 2019. Both males and females in WWP saw changes in waist circumference, blood pressure, and pulse across the program years. Trends in blood pressure showed a decline in normal readings, but both waist circumference and pulse increased the percentage of normal readings. When comparing WWP participants to non-participants, WWP generally had better health values than non-participants in heart rate and blood pressure. In most years, BMI remained the similar between the two groups; however, WWP participants had significantly lower BMIs in 2013 and 2015.

Conclusion The results of the study show that biometric values change over time for WWP participants. Overall, the WWP participants had better biometric values than non-participants. However, more research is needed to determine if this difference is the result of the WWP, or if the volunteerism of WWP participants represents a behavioral difference that may influence their willingness to improve their health.