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FOOD AND ACTIVITY ENVIRONMENTS ENACT STRATEGY: Activity Breaks The healthcare setting as a workplace environment is continually being updated for greater efficiency—which means greater inactivity for employees. Sedentary behavior at work is reinforced not only through technological advances, but also through scheduled meetings. By incorporating physical activity breaks into meetings, employees can work towards achieving the recommended amount of daily physical activity. Including physical activity breaks into long meetings improves employee health as well as productivity.
Characteristics of Activity Break Incorporation
A service of the UCLA School of Public Health, LA Lift Off! works to integrate 10-minute physical activity breaks into the workplace. LA Lift Off! is designed to change socio-cultural norms to increase moderate regular physical activity participation in all employees, particularly during functions when refreshments are served. Health Canada The physical activity unit of Health Canada provides a list of “Activities you can do at work,“ which includes incorporating physical activity into meetings. Healthy Meeting Guidelines (PDF) These guidelines from NY State Department of Health include ways to encourage physical activity at meetings.
The Fit Business Kit is a suite of no-cost tools and resources is provided by the California 5 a Day—Be Active! Worksite Program to help employers develop and implement a culture and environment at their workplaces that support healthy eating and physical activity habits among workers. Steps To A Healthier US Workforce This initiative promoted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the CDC outlines the necessity for workplaces to focus on promoting healthy lifestyles of employees. Seattle & King County- Food and Physical Activity Guidelines for Healthy Meetings These guidelines assist public health staff in incorporating physical activity into all longer meetings and events. The Health Canada website includes a section titled, “Trends and Impact -- The Basis for Investment Decisions,“ which details reasons why activity initiatives in the workplace benefit both employees and employers. This article details the development and feasibility testing of a sociocultural environmental change intervention strategy aimed at integrating physical activity into workplace routine.
Lift Offs Work!: The rapidly growing evidence base (PDF) “Eight research studies, demonstration projects or public health department service programs support the feasibility and efficacy of incorporating 10-minute structured exercise breaks into daily organizational routine.” |
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