Opportunities for Increased Physical Activity in the Workplace: the Walking Meeting (WaM) Pilot Study, Miami, 2015

Kling, Hannah; Yang, Xuan; Messiah, Sarah; Arheart, Kristopher L.; Brannan, Debi; Caban‐Martinez, Alberto J.

doi:10.5888/pcd13.160111

Cited by 17 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The Community Guide recommends point-of-decision prompts to encourage individuals to use stairs [ 20 ], which is not always feasible for small businesses that may be located on a single level. Small businesses should consider supporting other strategies to incorporate PA into the day, such as walking meetings, when feasible [ 21 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A qualitative study of facilitators and barriers to implementing worksite policies that support physical activity

2018

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BackgroundPhysical inactivity is associated with several chronic diseases that are costly to society, employers, and individuals. Workplaces are a common location for physical activity (PA) initiatives because of the amount of time individuals who are employed full time spend at work. This research examined a statewide worksite wellness program, the Healthiest Maryland Businesses (HMB) program, to fill an important gap regarding the facilitators for and barriers to implementing workplace policies that support PA.MethodsIndividual telephone interviews were conducted in December 2015 with six HMB Coordinators and their supervisor, and from August through October 2016 with a purposeful sample of 15 businesses of various sizes from across Maryland, to learn about the role of leadership, and successes and challenges of implementing PA programs and policies. The sample of businesses was intentionally selected to capture perspectives from a range of businesses. Interviews were recorded and professionally transcribed. Descriptive coding was used to identify dominant themes that addressed the study aims and research questions.ResultsPA was not described as a priority for several large and small businesses. To garner more support for PA, interviewees emphasized associating PA initiatives with measures the businesses care about, such as health care costs from claims data. Small businesses also described having a need for PA programming yet reported having significant resource constraints. There was a strong interest in developing guidance for implementing PA break policies, which was mentioned as a critical support for workplace PA promotion. More commitment and investment of resources from leadership, and an engaged wellness committee with company representation at all levels and roles, were identified as vital for impactful programs.ConclusionsMost businesses are implementing PA programs with limited policy supports, which was mentioned as a barrier. Successful implementation of workplace wellness programs broadly, and PA initiatives specifically, are achievable through leadership buy-in, employee input, and policy supports, along with highlighting the economic benefits for businesses.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A qualitative study of facilitators and barriers to implementing worksite policies that support physical activity

2018

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“…For example, “walking meetings” are proposed to increase physical activity and decrease workplace-sitting time by walking while holding meetings with colleagues. In a 3 week pilot study by Kling et al [ 67 ], the researchers found that implementing walking meetings resulted in an increased average walking time from an average of 107 min during the baseline week to 114 min at week 2 and to 117 min at week 3. According to the authors, the intervention was easy to implement, well accepted by the white-collar workers, and successful at increasing PA levels.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Healthy Behaviors through Behavioral Design–Obesity Prevention

Funderburk

Cardaci

Fink

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Evidence for behavior modification for improved health outcomes was evaluated for nutrition, physical activity (PA), and indoor environmental quality (IEQ). The databases searched included LISTA, PubMed, and Web of Science, with articles rated using an a priori baseline score of 70/100 to establish inclusion. The initial search produced 52,847 articles, 63 of which were included in the qualitative synthesis. Thirteen articles met inclusion for nutrition: cafeteria interventions, single interventions, and vending interventions. Seventeen articles on physical activity were included: stair use, walking, and adjustable desks. For IEQ, 33 articles met inclusion: circadian disruption, view and natural light, and artificial light. A narrative synthesis was used to find meaningful connections across interventions with evidence contributing to health improvements. Commonalities throughout the nutrition studies included choice architecture, increasing the availability of healthy food items, and point-of-purchase food labeling. Interventions that promoted PA included stair use, sit/stand furniture, workplace exercise facilities and walking. Exposure to natural light and views of natural elements were found to increase PA and improve sleep quality. Overexposure to artificial light may cause circadian disruption, suppressing melatonin and increasing risks of cancers. Overall, design that encourages healthy behaviors may lower risks associated with chronic disease.

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“…Regarding walking meetings, a 3-week pilot-study with 17 participants yielded positive evaluations of a structured scheme with a single 30-min walking meeting per week [5]. However, a qualitative evaluation of a multicomponent intervention among 129 office workers found walk-talk meetings and lunchtime walking groups to be the least used strategies [16].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One element often included in such interventions is standing and walking meetings. However, only very little research has been done into this area, with studies being pilot studies or focusing on the perceptions of standing and walking meetings [4][5][6][7]. Additionally, a review of sitting time interventions at the workplace by Shrestha et al [3] concluded that there were no studies specifically investigating the effects of standing or walking meetings on sitting time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Standing Meetings Are Feasible and Effective in Reducing Sitting Time among Office Workers—Walking Meetings Are Not: Mixed-Methods Results on the Feasibility and Effectiveness of Active Meetings Based on Data from the “Take a Stand!” Study

Danquah

Tolstrup

2020

IJERPH

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Active meetings (standing or walking) have the potential to reduce sitting time among office workers. The aim of the present study was to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of standing and walking meetings. The “Take a Stand!” study was a cluster-randomized trial, consisting of multiple components including the possibility of active meetings. Analyses were based on the 173 participants in the intervention group. Feasibility was evaluated by questionnaire and interview data from participants, ambassadors and leaders. Effectiveness was assessed as the change in objectively measured sitting time from baseline to 3 months follow-up. Regular standing meetings were implemented at all offices and were generally popular, as they were perceived as more effective and focused. In contrast, only a few walking meetings were completed, and these were generally associated with several barriers and perceived as ineffective. Participants who participated in standing meetings on a regular basis had 59 min less sitting per 8 h workday (95%CI −101;−17) compared to participants who did not participate in standing meetings at all. Walking meeting participation was not significantly associated with changes in sitting time, likely due to the low number of employees who used this option. This explorative study concludes that standing meetings in office workplaces were feasible and well-liked by the employees, and having frequent standing meetings was associated with reduced sitting time. In contrast, walking meetings were unfeasible and less liked, and thus had no effect on sitting time.

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Opportunities for Increased Physical Activity in the Workplace: the Walking Meeting (WaM) Pilot Study, Miami, 2015

Cited by 17 publications

References 15 publications

A qualitative study of facilitators and barriers to implementing worksite policies that support physical activity

A qualitative study of facilitators and barriers to implementing worksite policies that support physical activity

Healthy Behaviors through Behavioral Design–Obesity Prevention

Standing Meetings Are Feasible and Effective in Reducing Sitting Time among Office Workers—Walking Meetings Are Not: Mixed-Methods Results on the Feasibility and Effectiveness of Active Meetings Based on Data from the “Take a Stand!” Study

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