Abstract:
The prevalence of obesity and chronic disease in the United States is on the rise, leading to
increasing morbidity and mortality attributable to poor lifestyle choices that equate to inadequate
nutrition and lack of physical activity. Individuals often lack confidence in their ability to engage in
health behaviors such as making healthy food choices and physical activity. Employers nationwide
are adopting workplace wellness programs to improve employee health and address the rising cost of
medical coverage. In-depth participant interviews and direct observation were used to examine
relationships between self-reported self-efficacy and anticipated behavior change outcomes and to
explore current health promotion practices designed to build self-efficacy and enhance health
promotion initiatives in the workplace. Case studies developed from individual participant interviews
revealed changes in self-efficacy during the program and how a person's values, strengths, and
interests shaped their program experience. Significant contributors to participant perceived selfefficacy
identified in this study recommend a tailored value based approach to behavior change that
provides knowledge, accountability, experience, social support, and self-exploration in order to
empower program participants to take charge of their health and improve their wellbeing.
