Does a corporate worksite physical activity program reach those who are inactive? Findings from an evaluation of the Global Corporate Challenge
Rona Macniven A B , Lina Engelen A , Mia J. Kacen A and Adrian Bauman AA Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney Medical School, Level 6 The Hub, Charles Perkins Centre (D17), University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: rona.macniven@sydney.edu.au
Health Promotion Journal of Australia 26(2) 142-145 https://doi.org/10.1071/HE14033
Submitted: 15 May 2014 Accepted: 18 January 2015 Published: 28 April 2015
Abstract
Issue addressed: Workplace physical activity programs can motivate inactive target groups to increase daily activity levels, but it is important to determine their reach and impact.
Methods: The Global Corporate Challenge (GCC) is a team-based program promoting pedometer-based self-monitoring to reach 10 000 steps per day. Participants (n = 587) from an Australian university were recruited and recorded their daily step counts. Demographic, anthropometric, behavioural, self-reported physical activity and sitting time data were collected at baseline and following the 16-week program.
Results: On average, participants self-estimated 11 638 daily steps in Week 1, increasing to measured estimates of 13 787 daily steps in Week 16 (P < 0.001). At baseline, 92% of survey completers were already meeting the physical activity recommendations, increasing to 98% (P = 0.059) at follow-up. Four month improvements in objectively assessed anthropometric measures showed small, non-significant reductions in weight (–0.12 kg; P = 0.416), body mass index (–0.06 kg/m2; P = 0.314) and waist circumference (–0.43 cm; P = 0.082). Sitting time during work decreased significantly by 21 min per day (P < 0.001) and participants with initially low levels of sitting time at work were more likely to increase their step counts during the GCC (adjusted odds ratio 1.90, 95% confidence interval 1.03–3.50).
Conclusions: Although this pedometer-based program resulted in increases in physical activity and reductions in occupational sedentary behaviour, most participants were already meeting physical activity recommendations at baseline.
So what?: Workplace interventions need to be better targeted to reach inactive employees to have population-level impacts on chronic disease risk factors.
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