Application of the environmental assessment tool (EAT) as a process measure for a worksite weight management intervention

Objective: To assess the ability of the Environmental Assessment Tool (EAT) to detect changes over time in workplace physical and social environmental supports for physical activity and nutrition; and predict employee engagement, behavior changes, and biometrics. Methods: Analyses utilized site-level (n = 12) EAT scores. Differences-in-difference regressions tested changes in EAT scores over time across treatment sites. Generalized linear mixed models examined the ability of site-level EAT scores to predict individual-level outcomes. Results: Overall, the EAT captured changes in the workplace environmental supports for health promotion over time. However, the ability of EAT scores to predict intervention outcomes was weak. Conclusions: The EAT is a useful tool for monitoring changes in workplace environments over time. Further research is needed regarding the dose or intensity of environmental intervention needed to affect changes in employee behaviors and biometrics.