A prospective observational study of lifestyle behaviors and biomarkers to promote cardiometabolic health in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: Nutrition, physical activity, and sleep deficits contribute to diminished health status in healthcare workers (HCWs). The purpose of this study was to focus attention on HCWs by incorporating precision health approaches to address lifestyle behaviors believed to influence immune health, cardiometabolic status, and wellbeing. Methods: In this 1-year prospective observational study, a digital dashboard was created to post a health promotion video, targeted health messages, and personal health data accessible to each participant. Activity-sleep trackers were provided to capture actual step and sleep activity. Lifestyle questionnaires, serum biomarkers, body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and blood pressure were obtained at four timepoints; gene expression was measured at three timepoints. Genes linking host immune response to key nutrients were isolated for correlational analyses with lifestyle behaviors. Participants received a comprehensive summary of their personal results at 12 months. Primary outcome was participant engagement. Results: = NS, after Benjamini-Hochberg adjustment. Conclusion: Participant engagement may have contributed to favorable behavior change in the first 6 months, but this was not sustained at 12 months. Novel strategies are needed to boost engagement for longer studies, promote HCW wellness to optimize immune and cardiometabolic health, and abate chronic disease progression.