Meteorologic and Geographic Barriers to Physical Activity in a Workplace Wellness Program

Proposal of a Comprehensive and Multi-Component Approach to Promote Physical Activity among Japanese Office Workers: A Qualitative Focus Group Interview Study

Office workers spend up to two-thirds of their working hours sitting and are less physically active than other occupational groups. It is necessary to develop an effective approach to promote physical activity among office workers. We conducted a focus group interview with seven Japanese office workers to investigate the current status (topic 1) of, and their opinions on (topic 2), physical activity promotion programs in their workplace. Data were analyzed using qualitative data analysis. We classified the data from topic 1 into individual, socio-cultural, physical, and organizational environments. Most participants indicated that they spent a lot of time sitting and needed programs for a wide range of corresponding employee demands. We classified the data from topic 2 into capability, opportunity, and motivation. Most participants indicated that they wanted evidence-based information, a standing desk, and a conducive workplace environment to enhance physical activity. Thus, we proposed a comprehensive and multi-component approach comprising individual (information delivery), socio-cultural environment (team building, supportive atmosphere), physical environment (standing desk, use of poster), and organizational (incentive, encouraging message from an executive, workplace policy) strategies. Future studies should evaluate the effectiveness of this proposal.

Race Differences in Physical Activity Uptake Within a Workplace Wellness Program: A Comparison of Black and White Employees

PURPOSE

To examine differences in physical activity (PA) uptake between black and white employees during a financial incentive-based workplace intervention.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study from July 2014 to June 2015 (NCT02850094).

SETTING

Tertiary academic medical center.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-three black and 182 white nonclinical employees.

INTERVENTION

Participants self-selected or were assigned to teams. Participants completed a 24-week intervention receiving rewards for meeting weekly PA goals (increasing moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA] by 10% from previous week or meeting Guidelines threshold of 150 minutes of MVPA).

MEASURES

Outcomes included weekly MVPA in minutes, average daily step counts, number of weeks meeting personal goals and the Guidelines, and Fitbit adherence in days and weeks.

ANALYSIS

We performed an analysis of covariance for each outcome, with race as the primary independent variable of interest, adjusting for demographic and health-related covariates.

RESULTS

During the intervention, blacks walked 9128 steps per day while whites walked 7826 steps per day, a difference of approximately 1300 steps (P < .05). Blacks also demonstrated a greater uptake in both steps and MVPA from baseline than did whites, resulting in similar MVPA throughout the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that workplace PA interventions using financial incentives may result in similar engagement in MVPA among white and black employees, while black employees walk more steps during the intervention. Limitations include a primarily white female sample which may not generalize.