WORKPLACE FOOD AND ACTIVITY ENVIRONMENT
ENACT STRATEGY: Encourage Stair Use
Encourage employees and visitors to use the stairs
An easy way to add more physical activity into your day is to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Workplace environments can increase the amount of physical activity that employees and visitors get in their day by encouraging stair use. Transforming an uninviting stairwell into one that is welcoming can be accomplished through simple changes such as posting signs and directions as well as more in-depth solutions such as installing new lighting and safety devices. Implementation of even the simplest changes can increase physical activity and create an atmosphere that supports healthy behavior.
Characteristics of usable stairs:
- Appropriate signage and maps to locate stairs
- Making stairs easily accessible
- Positive visual appeal of the stairwell including new paint, lighting, carpet, artwork, etc.
- Posted motivational signs
- Music
- Good lighting and air quality
- Addressed safety concerns, such as cameras and mirrors
“Health Department Staff Promote Stairwell Use“ (PDF)
The article describes the successful effort to encourage stair use in a North Carolina health department. The Community Change Chronicles is a newsletter distributed by Eat Smart, Move More... North Carolina.
StairWELL is a worksite intervention piloted by the Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. The Website offers tools and resources to make similar changes in other organizations.
Health At Work (PDF)
This document offers advice and support to improve food and activity environments for various organizations in Scotland. This tool is a guide for increasing physical activity in the workplace through policy writing and implementation.
The report compiled by the California 5 a Day Worksite Program identifies the best ways to increase fresh fruit and vegetable intake and activity in the workplace as well as other strategies to improve workplace wellness.
The Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
“CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (DNPAO) takes a public health approach to address the role of nutrition and physical activity in improving the public's health and preventing and controlling chronic diseases. The scope of DNPAO activities includes epidemiological and behavioral research, surveillance, training and education, intervention development, health promotion and leadership, policy and environmental change, communication and social marketing, and partnership development.”
A Canadian partnership promoting programs that make stair use a “fun and easy way to get employees active in the workplace.” The interactive Website includes links to education, tools, success stories and more.
Guide to Community Preventive Services
The Guide to Community Preventive Services issued an information page recommending the use of point-of-decision prompts to encourage stair use.
The Heart Foundation's Climb to the Top program encourages participants to incorporate more physical activity throughout the day. “It challenges individuals and teams of up to 10 to climb the equivalent of Mt. Everest during July by using the stairs or walking.”
The Effectiveness of Interventions to Increase Physical Activity: A Systematic Review. (PDF)
The Task Force on Community Preventive Services et al.
Increasing stair use in a worksite through environmental changes.**
Kerr, N.A., Yore, M.M., Ham, S.A., and Dietz, W.H. American Journal Health Promotion, 2004. Mar-Apr; 18(4):312-5.
Environmental and poicy interventions to promote physical activity.**
Sallis, J.F., Bauman, A., and Pratt, M. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 1998. Nov;15(4):379-97.
** We can only provide links to the article abstracts and not the full text.
