Yun-Ping Lin1,4, Chiu-Chu Lin2, Meei-Maan Chen3,4

Effect of a ‘Sit Less, Walk More’ Workplace Intervention on Cardiometabolic and Work Productivity Outcomes in Office Workers: 12-Month Follow-Up Results

Yun-Ping Lin1,4, Chiu-Chu Lin2, Meei-Maan Chen3,4

1School of Nursing, China Medical University 2College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University 3College of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences 4Taiwan Association of Occupational Health Nurses

Abstract

Objective:This study examined the effects of the Sit Less, Walk More (SLWM) workplace intervention on cardiometabolic and work productivity outcomes in middle-aged Taiwanese office workers.

Method:A two-group quasi-experimental design with repeated measures was conducted with two workplaces in Taiwan. A total of 98 participants (53.1% women, mean age 50.4± 8.6 years) were present for follow-up. The intervention comprised three monthly newsletters, six biweekly motivational tools,a team-based 10,000 steps challenge, environmental prompts, andwalking routes and resources.The comparison group received monthly newsletters only. Outcome measures were objectively measured cardiometabolicbiomarkers and self-reported measures of physical activity, occupational sitting, and health-relatedlost productivity. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were employed for the data analysis.

Results: GEE analyses showed that the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in weight (p = 0.013), waist circumference (p = 0.002),and insulin (p< 0.001), walking (p= 0.005) relative to the comparison groupat 12 months.The intervention group also produceda borderline significant improvementindiastolic BPat 12 months (p= 0.078). Both groups had significantly decreased their systolic BP and diastolic BP, but increased their fasting glucose frombaseline to12 months(p = 0.000–0.014). A significant reduction in total physical activityfrom 3-months to12-months was observed in both groups (p = 0.000–0.021). The comparison group also showed a significant increase in lostproductivity (p= 0.026)from 3-months to 12-months.

Conclusions: While the SLWM workplace intervention initially produced overwhelming positive changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior, these changes were not sustained after the intervention ended. Nevertheless, the intervention can effectively improve some cardiometabolicrisk factors and work productivity. Facilitating long-term health behavior change in office workers remains a challenge.

Keywords:physical activity; sitting; cardiometabolic health; health-relatedlost productivity; office workers.