Sedentary behaviour in the workplace: prevalence, health implications and interventions

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.

Keywords: occupational health; office workers; physical activity; sedentary behaviour; sitting; sit–stand desks.