Work

“Balancing work and movement”: barriers and enablers for being physically active at Indian workplaces – findings from SMART STEP trial

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases are rising rapidly in low- and middle-income countries, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Reducing sedentary behavior (SB) and increasing physical activity (PA) offer numerous health benefits. Workplaces provide an ideal setting for promoting SB/PA interventions; however, understanding the barriers and enablers is crucial for optimizing these interventions in workplace environments. METHODS: Nested within a cluster randomised controlled trial (the SMART-STEP trial), the present study employed in-depth interviews with 16 office workers who have completed 24 weeks of two distinct (technology assisted and traditional) workplace SB/PA interventions. Using a deductive analysis, semi-structured interviews were administered to explore the barriers and enablers to the SB/PA interventions at individual, interpersonal and organisational level using the socio-ecological model. RESULTS: Several individual (poor goal setting, perceived health benefits & workload, attitude, intervention engagement), interpersonal (lack of peer support) and organisational (task prioritisation, lack of organisational norm and material or social reward) barriers were identified. Indian women engaged in desk-based office jobs often find themselves burdened with intense home and childcare responsibilities, often without sufficient support from their spouses. A primary concern among Indian office workers is the poor awareness and absence of cultural norms regarding the health risks associated with SB. CONCLUSIONS: Raising awareness among workplace stakeholders-including office workers, peers, and the organization-is crucial before designing and implementing SB/PA interventions in Indian workspaces. Personalized interventions for Indian female office workers engaged in desk-bound work are warranted.

Source: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

DOI: 10.1186/s12966-024-01661-z

Authors: Baskaran Chandrasekaran, Ashokan Arumugam, Arto J Pesola, Chythra R Rao

Institutions: Manipal Academy of Higher Education, University of Sharjah, South Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal

Language: English

Topic: Physical Activity and Health

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,070