Sedentary behaviour in the workplace: prevalence, health implications and interventions
Daniel P. Bailey
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This paper reviews the prevalence and health risks of excess sedentary behaviour in office workers, and the effectiveness of sedentary workplace interventions in a manner accessible to practitioners. SOURCES OF DATA: A narrative review of empirical studies obtained from PubMed and Web of Science. AREAS OF AGREEMENT: Office workers are highly sedentary, increasing their risk of health problems. Interventions using individual, organisational and environmental level strategies can be effective for reducing workplace sitting. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY: The effects of sedentary workplace interventions on health are inconsistent. This may be due to a lack of randomized controlled trials powered to detect changes in health outcomes. GROWING POINTS: Multicomponent interventions that use a combination of the strategies above may be the most effective for reducing sitting. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH: Determining the long-term health and cost-effectiveness of sedentary workplace interventions is a priority to encourage employer buy-in for their implementation.