Boosting Workplace Wellness: Walking Initiatives for a Healthier Lifestyle
Discover the power of walking and lifestyle change through effective workplace interventions! This initiative promotes accumulating at least 10,000 daily steps with a focus on brisk walking to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. We explore the sedentary lifestyle of office workers and propose practical strategies such as walking meetings, break time walks, and tailored programs to increase physical activity at work. Take small steps towards better health and join us in creating a more active workplace culture. Contact us to get involved!
Boosting Workplace Wellness: Walking Initiatives for a Healthier Lifestyle
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Presentation Transcript
Nicholas D Gilson The School of Human Movement Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.
National Health Priority Areas (x8) 1 http://www.aihw.gov.au/nhpa/index.cfm
The green prescription! Lifestyle change can really work!
Walking guidelines • Accumulating at least 10,000 daily steps remains the minimal public health goal • 3000-4000 of these steps should be achieved through bouts of brisk walking (3-4mph), sustained for 10 minutes or more 2 • Small step increments have been found to lower risk for chronic disease in low active adults 3 • 2 Tudor-Locke et el. Med Sci Sports and Exerc 2008, 40: S537-543. • 3 Tully et al. JECH 2007, 61: 778-783. • .
Sedentary Workplaces • Office-based workers often spend prolonged periods of the workday spent sitting at desks 4 • High volumes of sitting have been cited as an independent risk factor for conditions such as type II diabetes and obesity 5 • 4Gilson et al . Int Journal of Workplace Health Management 2009, 1: 152-161. • 5 Hamilton et al. Diabetes 2007, 56: 2655-2667.
Can we change this culture? • We spent the large part of our week at work (we are a captive audience) • Our workplace is a practical and effective setting through which walking (and less sitting) can be encouraged
Pedometer-based, workplace walking initiative Tailored 10 week program Assessment of where you are (baseline) Asks you to make small increments in your walking against set targets Interactive, web-based support that targets barriers to change
Practical ideas for sitting less and moving more at work • Park it • Active emails • Onwards and upwards • Take a stand • Stand-walk-talk • Break time walks • Lunch time walking groups
Does it work? Intervention 1000 Step counts/workday 500 Gain of around 15-20 minutes of physical activity each workday 0 -500 Control -1000 6 Gilson et al (2007) Preventive Medicine, 44, 167-169.
7Gilson et al (2008) Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 15, 172-178.
If you would like to take part simply send an email; walkatwork@uq.edu.au