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Promote Physical Activity in The Workplace

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Ab Staholic Boii

This document discusses promoting physical activity in the workplace. It notes that many environments no longer promote movement and workplaces do little to encourage activity. This can lead to poor health outcomes like non-communicable diseases. The document provides examples of interventions workplaces can implement, like providing exercise facilities or allowing activity breaks. Case studies from the CDC and Vanuatu show how signage, maps, and group activities increased stair use and average daily steps. The American Samoa and Palau examples outline specific workplace wellness policies and programs implemented in those locations.

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Promote Physical Activity in The Workplace

Uploaded by

Ab Staholic Boii
44 views18 pages
This document discusses promoting physical activity in the workplace. It notes that many environments no longer promote movement and workplaces do little to encourage activity. This can lead to poor health outcomes like non-communicable diseases. The document provides examples of interventions workplaces can implement, like providing exercise facilities or allowing activity breaks. Case studies from the CDC and Vanuatu show how signage, maps, and group activities increased stair use and average daily steps. The American Samoa and Palau examples outline specific workplace wellness policies and programs implemented in those locations.

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This document discusses promoting physical activity in the workplace. It notes that many environments no longer promote movement and workplaces do little to encourage activity. This can lead to poor health outcomes like non-communicable diseases. The document provides examples of interventions workplaces can implement, like providing exercise facilities or allowing activity breaks. Case studies from the CDC and Vanuatu show how signage, maps, and group activities increased stair use and average daily steps. The American Samoa and Palau examples outline specific workplace wellness policies and programs implemented in those locations.

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44 views18 pages

Promote Physical Activity in The Workplace

Uploaded by

Ab Staholic Boii
This document discusses promoting physical activity in the workplace. It notes that many environments no longer promote movement and workplaces do little to encourage activity. This can lead to poor health outcomes like non-communicable diseases. The document provides examples of interventions workplaces can implement, like providing exercise facilities or allowing activity breaks. Case studies from the CDC and Vanuatu show how signage, maps, and group activities increased stair use and average daily steps. The American Samoa and Palau examples outline specific workplace wellness policies and programs implemented in those locations.

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Promote Physical Activity in the Workplace

What you should know


 The environments in most island communities no
longer promote physical activity.
 Most schools and workplaces do little to
encourage or value movement. Inactive lifestyles
often result in much poorer health due to NCDs.
 Getting people moving at work will result in a
healthier workforce. A healthier workforce can
be more productive, with fewer sick days and
more money or products generated.
Ensuring that people have access
to daily exercise must be a
priority.
Did you know?
Studies from a several
Pacific Island countries and
territories show that
between 41% and 62% of
adults lead completely
inactive lifestyles. An
inactive lifestyle is closely
linked to obesity, diabetes,
and heart disease.
Did you know?
Engaging in physical activity in groups is effective
in increasing levels of physical activity
Examples of Interventions in the Workplace

 Offering healthy food options in cafeterias, vending


machines and at company-sponsored events;
 Introducing signs encouraging stairway use;
 Allowing flexible work schedules to accommodate
physical activity during the work day;
 Providing reimbursement for use of community
fitness centers; and
 Building or opening up facilities and areas that can
be used for physical activity and exercise, such as
on-site fitness centers, walking paths, and bike trails.
Did you know?
Workplace physical activity programs have
shown potential to increase employee
productivity and improve health outcomes
Did you know?
Workplace programs, in spite of their differences
in terms of comprehensiveness, intensity, and
duration, achieved long-term behavior change
and risk reduction among workers.
What are policies that can help improve the built environment?

A Successful Example:
Case Study: CDC StairWELL Project
In 1998, CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity and Obesity conducted a study to see if
making physical changes to a stairwell in the
Atlanta-based Koger Center Rhodes Building
would motivate employees to use the stairs.
What are policies that can help improve the built environment?

A Successful Example:
Case Study: CDC StairWELL Project
Over 3½ years, changes to the stairwell
were made which included painting and
carpeting, framed artwork, motivational
signs, and music. Infrared beams were
used to track the number of stair users.
The data suggest that physical
improvements, motivational signs, and
music can increase stairwell use among
building occupants.
What are policies that can help improve the built environment?

A Successful Example:
Case Study: A workplace health
promotion program in Vanuatu
Strong gender roles can result in
disadvantages for women in relation to
sport and recreation activities. Wokabaot
Jalens was a health intervention which was
created for women in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
The program is part of the “Walk for Life” government
based healthy workplace initiative. Employees were
encouraged to participate in physical activities every
Wednesday.
What are policies that can help improve the built environment?

A Successful Example:
Case Study: A workplace health
promotion program in Vanuatu
The initiative began in 2011 and has shown
an increase in about 2075 steps/day.
Participants had designated walking
captains, were given walking maps,
educational information and a pedometer.

Physical activity behavior increased and


waist circumference decreased. Several
participants experienced significant health
benefits such as weight loss, reduced
fasting blood sugar and enhanced self-
esteem.
Take Action and Make a Difference!

Form walking groups


Form lunchtime walking groups with your co-
workers. Instead of eating at your desk spend
time eating together and then walking together
outside. Encourage others to join you!
Take Action and Make a Difference!

Take the stairs!


Instead of using the elevator, take the stairs!
Encourage others to take them with you!
Take Action and Make a Difference!

Organize sports teams


Engage in competitive sports with your co-
workers!
Promote Physical Activity in the work place
An American Samoa Example

Target Population: All Department of Health employees


Summary: American Samoa Department of Health (DOH)
Employee Wellness Policy #13-01
October 2013: DOH implemented a policy for all DOH employees
relating to proper nutrition, physical activity and tobacco smoking
Worksite Wellness Infrastructures provided physical, financial and material
resources for employees to exercise
Employees are required to sign a “Wellness Activity Waiver Form” prior to
participating to any worksite wellness activity or event
Increased Levels of Physical Activity allows employees 45 minutes of their
work hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for exercise while at
work
Promote Physical Activity in the work place
A Palauan Example

Target Population: All employees


Summary: Worksite Wellness Program, Palau’s Executive Order 295
May 2011, Palau President Johnson Toribiong declared a state of health emergency on
Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) and ordered the Palau Ministry of Health (MOH)
to immediately establish programs “to stop, reduce and eliminate the incidences of
Non Communicable Diseases”
Palau NCD Unit initiated worksite wellness programs to the entire community
The NCD Unit started advertising the worksite wellness programs in health fairs and
MOH also started partnerships with aerobics instructors
There are about 12 public and private worksites in Palau that approached and
requested the NCD Unit for assistance in starting their own worksite wellness program
for their employees
Since the inception of the programs, formal evaluation has yet to take place to
measure the efficacy and currently, the NCD Unit is working towards improving the
worksite wellness programs by creating a more structured follow-up and tracking plan
by having a case manager
Who can I contact for more information?

Adrian Bauman
Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition and
Exercise and Prevention Research Collaboration
University of Sydney
Sydney, Australia
Email: adrian.bauman@sydney.edu.au

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