285601
To sit or to get up – that is the question: Beliefs about the positive behavior of getting up and moving around during the workday
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Jaclyn Braspenninx, B.S.,
School of Public Health, Indiana University School of Public Health - Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Susan E. Middlestadt, PhD,
Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health, Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Darleesa Doss, MPH, CHES,
Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health - Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Saurabh Suhas Thosar, MS,
Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health - Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
BACKGROUND. Studies show that sitting time is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease. This study illustrates how a theory-based analysis of beliefs about a positive behavior can suggest activities to encourage getting up and therefore decrease sedentary behavior and reduce sitting time. METHODS. An online survey was completed by 32 employees as part of an evaluation of a worksite pedometer program conducted at a Midwestern university. Instrument assessed constructs of Reasoned Action Approach for positive behavior of getting up and moving around a bit every hour during the workday. Close-ended items assessed intention, attitude, perceived norm, and perceived control. Open-ended questions elicited facilitating (i.e., what might make it easier for you to get up and move around a bit?) and hindering circumstances (i.e., what might make it harder for you to get up and move around a bit?). Content analysis created categories of circumstances. Spearman correlations identified associates of intention. RESULTS. Correlation analysis revealed perceived behavioral control as the global component most strongly related to intention. Content analysis of beliefs underlying perceived control revealed both facilitators (i.e., setting reminders; identifying work tasks that require getting up; having others to do it with) and hindering circumstances (i.e., having a lot to do at work; forgetting; having work tasks not conducive to breaks; and not feeling up to it). DISCUSSION. Results suggest that programs designed to reduce sitting time should include individual educational activities to build skills and environmental adaptations to make the workplace more conducive to getting up.
Learning Areas:
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Explain the value of identifying a positive behavior (getting up and moving around during workday) to address a negative health behavioral outcome (sitting time)
Describe how theory-based research can identify circumstances that are perceived to make getting up easier and harder
Describe individual and environmental activities that might reduce sitting time
Keyword(s): Behavioral Research, Worksite
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am currently pursuing my MPH with a concentration in Behavior, Social and Community Health while also working as a Graduate Research Assistant in the School of Public Health at Indiana University-Bloomington. For the past year, I have been involved with a service contract in the Department of Kinesiology that has allowed me to become familiar with sitting-time and health behaviors related to prolonged sitting.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
