Cross-sectional Survey of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Blood Levels

Overview

Employees working at DSM workplaces with an onsite Healthyroads Wellness® biometrics screening program are being offered an opportunity to have their blood fatty acids levels, especially omega-3 fatty acids \[omega-3 index\] measured at no charge. At some locations, participants were offered a single coupon on a 90 day supply of omega-3 capsules. Three months later, all employees at these locations are given a second opportunity to have their blood omega-3 levels \[eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)\] measured. The goals are to: 1) survey dietary EPA+DHA intake and omega-3 blood levels of study population, 2) determine if dietary EPA+DHA intake and omega-3 blood levels change after people have learned their omega-3 index, and 3) determine if differences in omega-3 index concentrations can be detected 3 months later between locations receiving information alone vs information+coupon.

Email messages and posters announcing onsite HealthyRoads Wellness biometric screening clinics will inform \~1,800 DSM employees at 19 locations of the opportunity to participate in an omega-3 research study and have their blood omega-3 levels measured. * Participants attending a Healthyroads Wellness® biometrics screening clinic will be invited to participate. If they agree and sign an Informed Consent form, they need to complete an Omega-3 Index Test Request form, and write their name, date of birth and collection date on the filter paper. The request form includes some dietary questions about fish/meat consumption. * Omega-3 research participants will proceed to the biometric screening station where blood obtained from the finger stick for blood cholesterol measurements will be applied to a filter paper by a Healthyroads Wellness® professional. * The filter paper, the Omega-3 Index Test Request, and Informed Consent form will be stapled together, packaged with all other samples obtained at that location, and shipped by DSM to a CLIA-approved laboratory. * Within about a week of receiving the blood sample, the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-approved laboratory (#43D1105229) will email the Omega-3 Index Test results directly to each participant. Locations will be randomized such that approximately 50% of participants will receive a coupon for a discount on a 90 day supply of omega-3 capsules. These coupons will be offered to participants in order to determine rates of coupon redemption. If a coupon is offered at a biometrics screening site, a single coupon will be offered to each participant at that location. The coupon will be offered after the finger stick procedure so that it is not an incentive for participation. Three-four months later, all employees at each location will be offered a second opportunity to have their omega-3 index measured. The filter paper, the Omega-3 Index Test Request, and Informed Consent form will be stapled together, packaged with all other samples obtained at that location, and shipped by DSM to a CLIA-approved laboratory. Based on email address, birthdate, date of collection, and gender, data will be identified as a new participant or second omega-3 index determination. This data will allow for anonymized comparison of first versus second determination of blood omega-3 index measurement to assess the impact of providing participants with information on their omega-3 status vs information + coupon.