It's also deceptively simple, he said, and that accounts for much of its success. The effort centers around offering simple and entertaining programs that run four to eight weeks each and that "engage and empower the employee," he said. The effect is to "basically change and enhance people's lives.

"What has been so successful here is we get thousands to do a simple program." For example, one focuses on laughter as good medicine and the main requirement is just that — laughing.

So far, 2,200 people have signed up for it, he said. People can participate without all having to be at a specific place at a certain time, which is a good thing since the district covers more than 200 miles.

Participation growth has been phenomenal, Hardy said. These days, he said, there are more than 20,000 participants and it's growing, janitors taking part side by side with teachers and administrators.

"What the growth says is that emplopyees really like this way of interacting through these small little programs that really have benefit in their lives. And it's not rocket science at all. All we're trying to do is get people to eat right, exercise and make some healthy choices," Hardy said.

That it was possible on such a large scale was the result of the unique way the school district chose to fund it, Aldana said. With approval and support of the employees' union, the district said that all employees had to do a health screening every year with their physician.

The district paid for those health screenings, but if someone chose not to have one, it cost that individual $40 from his paycheck each month. That money, in turn, paid for the wellness program for all those who did participate. That provided a tangible incentive to pay attention to health and lifestyle issues.

Co-authors on the study were BYU professors Ray Merrill and Ron Hager, BYU graduate student Kristine Price, and Hardy of the Washoe County School District.

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E-mail: lois@desnews.com