Not Enough Time? Individual and Environmental Implications for Workplace Physical Activity Programming Among WomenwithandwithoutYoung Children

Abstract

This study sets out to determine the main issues employed women with and without young children voice as influencing their physical activity behaviors, and to identify the environmental dimensions (e.g., physical, social, cultural, organizational, policy) within and outside of the workplace surrounding physical activity promotion that are most pertinent to employed women in Canada. Thirty employed women participated in focus groups, and four senior personnel were interviewed. Worksite observations were carried out and a Workplace Physical Activity Audit Tool was administered. Results indicate that time constraints and demands of personal and work life are barriers to achieving more activity. The issues surrounding family obligations and pressures for women with young children illustrate the main differences between groups. Key environmental factors are addressed and considered for future workplace physical activity programming goals.

Examining predictors of physical activity among inactive middle-aged women: An application of the health action process approach

“…The support for the hypothesized relationships is consistent with research testing a HAPA-based model (Lippke et al, 2004; Renner et al, 2007; Scholz et al, 2005; Sniehotta et al, 2005; Ziegelmann et al, 2006) and research examining determinants of physical activity behaviour among women of all ages (Conn et al, 2003; Tavares & Plotnikoff, 2008; Vallance et al, 2010). In particular, both action self-efficacy and outcome expectancies were found to be significant predictors of women’s intentions, explaining 57% of the variance with action self-efficacy being the greater predictor.…”

“…Using theory in designing interventions and research is important because it allows for testing of the theory’s proposed causal relationships and, when successful, provides a map for future, effective interventions (Conner & Norman, 2005). Past research (e.g., Conn, Burks, Minor, & Mehr, 2003; Tavares & Plotnikoff, 2008; Vallance, Murray, Johnson, & Elavsky, 2010) has examined the utility of prominent theoretical frameworks including the theory of planned behaviour (TPB; Ajzen, 1988), social cognitive theory (SCT; Bandura, 1977), and the transtheoretical model of change (Palmeira et al, 2007; Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983) in predicting women’s physical activity behavior. These studies provide some direction for developing physical activity interventions for women.…”

Physical activity barriers in the workplace

“…Tavares and Plotnikoff (2008) did describe the PA culture of the workplace impacting on women's PA. The women felt a supportive and encouraging corporate culture for PA was essential and ongoing programmes were seen as geared towards the 'aggressive male personality ' (p.274).…”

“…With this in mind interventions should aim to extend beyond simply offering exercise classes or promoting gym membership. If workplace cultural norms and employer support are not addressed then shifts in PA participation are unlikely to occur (Tavares and Plotnikoff, 2008). Engaging line managers and using them to communicate messages about PA options available to their teams of employees is one way in which this culture change could begin to be addressed as part of a multilevel PA intervention.…”

The meta-volition model: Organizational leadership is the key ingredient in getting society moving, literally!

“…Social control (formal and informal sanctions) and influence (Cohen et al, 2006;Meier, 1982;Mittelmark, 1999;Valente and Pumpuang, 2007) Social capital and collective efficacy Social exchange and opinion leaders Women's studies Embodied context (values/ideals embodied or embraced through internal influences) (Brazy and Shah, 2006;Christakis and Fowler, 2007;Kushner, 2005;Tavares and Plotnikoff, 2008) Gender roles Behavioral economics Individual and societal (dis)incentives (Cohen and Farley, 2008;Day, 2006;Gordon-Larsen et al,;Green et al, 2009;Halpern et al, 2007;Pratt et al, 2004;Sturm, 2004;Wansink and Chandon, 2006; Market failure Availability bias (default decisions) Framing and priming Herd instinct (crowd influence) Social marketing and communications 4 P's: product, price, place, promotion (Andreasen, 1995;Borgatti et al, 2009;Brodie et al, 2001;Gantz and Wang, 2009;Grier and Bryant, 2005;Luke and Harris, 2007;Maibach et al, 2007;Gladwell, 2000) Communication channels and messengers Message packaging (e.g., entertainment value) Social networks Critical mass/tipping point (to spread practice beyond minority, must be promoted by 3 types: connectors, mavens and sales people) Social ecology and health policy Upstream-downstream approaches (Glasgow et al, 1999;Green et al, 2009;Katan, 2006;Kersh and Morone, 2002;Kumanyika and Ewart, 1990;Kumanyika et al, 2008;Smedley et al, 2000;Stokols et al, 2003) Population-level intervention (reach and exposure), multi-level intervention Implementation and dissemination science, including push-pull design principles (e.g., lowering the bar to make adoption of a behavior less costly financially and psychologically by developin...…”