Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide [
1,
2]. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors are well-known modifiable risk factors of NCDs. Therefore, promotion of a healthy lifestyle is of importance [
3,
4]. The workplace is seen as an appropriate setting to promote health including the improvement of a healthy lifestyle [
5,
6]. Workplace health promotion programs (WHPPs) can be effective in improving the lifestyle behaviors targeted [
7‐
10]. For instance, a review of reviews by Proper et al. concluded that WHPPs have a positive effect on both body weight-related outcomes and the prevention of mental and musculoskeletal problems [
7]. However, it should be acknowledged that in some of these systematic reviews, evidence was limited to moderate [
8‐
10]. Individual participant data meta analyses from Robroek et al. and Coenen et al. even showed that overall there was no statistically significant effect of WHPPs on BMI, physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking and diet, with the exception of fruit intake [
11,
12]. Most interventions included in these reviews focused on the individual or environmental level only. The abovementioned findings indicate that there is a need for new directions in the design of WHPPs [
11,
13].
A greater impact on lifestyle and health can be expected from an integrated approach, which targets the individual level as well as the organizational level [
14]. Earlier studies have indeed shown greater effects of WHPPs that focus on an environmental component in addition to individually based components on the targeted lifestyle behaviors [
8,
15,
16]. Nevertheless, these interventions often include only minimal environmental changes. More extensive environmental changes are necessary [
13]. A good example of a successful integrated WHPP is the Lombardy WHP Network, which is recognized as a good practice in the occupational setting in the European Joint Action CHRODIS because of its integrated approach and successful implementation [
14,
17]. This program has been implemented in Lombardy, Italy, where participating organizations received a catalogue in which activities on both the individual and organizational level for multiple lifestyle themes are included. Employers chose which activities to implement at both the individual and organizational level. A pilot study with a follow-up of 1 year showed significantly positive effects on smoking cessation and fruit and vegetable intake, and favorable changes were apparent for alcohol intake and physical activity [
18]. The Lombardy WHP Network was further successful in the implementation and participation of organizations [
19]. Development of the program started in 2011 in Bergamo, and in 2013 it expanded on a regional scale. In 2014, 284 workplaces, employing 139,186 persons, were involved [
14,
19]. The catalogue with evidence-based activities was continuously updated, which also contributed to the success of the Lombardy WHP Network [
19]. The catalogue may also have played a role in the successful implementation, due to the wide range of small and accessible WHP activities provided, an integrated approach that fits the organization can be composed. Such a WHPP is possibly easier to implement when compared to an imposed extensive WHPP. A similar integrated WHPP, based on the Lombardy WHP Network, has been implemented in Andalusia, Spain [
20]. Initial results after a nine-month implementation period showed no statistically significant changes yet, but the frequency of sweets consumption within one organization declined with 6.2% (10.8% vs 4.6%) and physical activity in the same organization increased with 12.3% (23.1% vs 35.4%) [
21]. Currently there is a lack of such integrated WHPPs and scientific evidence about their effectiveness and implementation [
13].
Because of the integrated approach, successful implementation and effects on lifestyle behaviors, our aim was to describe the protocol of a study to tailor the integrated European good practice Lombardy WHP Network to the Dutch context and to evaluate its effectiveness and implementation by means of a cluster randomized controlled trial. This paper describes two components: 1) the protocol of the systematic tailoring of the Lombardy WHP Network to the Dutch context, and 2) the design of the effect and process evaluation.