Planning for active office intervention in Thailand: survey and in-depth interview of university employees

Abstract

PurposeThis study aimed to explore knowledge, attitude, behavior and causes of sedentary behavior (SB) among office workers and guidelines for active office intervention.Design/methodology/approachThe study was comprised of a survey and an interview. In total, 39 nonacademic office workers responded to the Past-day Adults Sedentary Time-University (PAST-U) and workplace sitting break (SITBRQ) questionnaire to measure SB level, sitting bout, frequency and duration of sitting interrupted in 1 h and in whole working hours. Eleven executives and staffs participated in in-depth interviews to understand knowledge, attitude, behavior and cause of SB and guidelines for active office intervention.FindingsParticipants commonly spend most of their working time in SB (383.85 ± 93.03 min or 6 h 23 min). The interview indicated that at an individual level, participants lack knowledge and understanding of SB. The most common causes of SB are huge workload, personal characteristics and the weather. At the organizational level, there is no policy, no support from colleagues or organizations, while the physical environment is not conducive to reducing SB.Originality/valueThe outcomes of the study are used as basic information and guidelines for establishing an active office intervention in accordance with the culture and context of Thai society. There have been studies in Thailand that examine SB but no studies that have been conducted to study basic information on knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and causes of SB to be used in planning active office intervention to reduce SB.

The Effect of an Electronic Passive Prompt Intervention on Prolonged Occupational Sitting and Light-Intensity Physical Activity in Desk-Based Adults Working from Home during COVID-19 in Ireland

“…Furthermore, although the passive prompt intervention was only carried out during occupational hours, this study observed no negative compensatory changes in PBs during leisure or over the 24 h period, suggesting that the passive prompt intervention during working hours benefited the participants’ overall day. By implementing passive prompts and reducing the habit of prolonged desk-based sitting when working, positive long-term health impacts may be achieved [ 1 ]. This study observed a reduction in overall 24 h sedentary time (−32.13 ± 9.35 min, p = 0.002) and showed that the time was reallocated between, standing, LIPA, and MVPA, with only the increase in LIPA achieving significance.…”

“…Developments in technology have led to a significant reduction in the requirement for physical activity (PA) due to the automation and mechanisation of society [ 1 , 2 ], leading to an increase in desk-based occupations. Many individuals with desk-based occupations remain sedentary for prolonged periods of time, owing to the nature of their work [ 3 ].…”