Impact of Booster Breaks and Computer Prompts on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Among Desk-Based Workers: A...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Work breaks are underutilized for health promotion.
• Few studies have investigated the impact of work break interventions on employee health.
• Office workers often exhibit sedentary behavior during the workday.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Booster Break program's effectiveness in improving physical and behavioral health outcomes among office workers.
• To compare the Booster Break program with an individual-based intervention and a control group.

Main Methods:

• A 3-arm, cluster-randomized controlled trial involving 175 participants across 4 worksites.
• Interventions included a group-based Booster Break program, an individual computer-prompt intervention, and a usual-break control group.
• Data collected included physical activity (pedometer counts), sedentary behavior, body mass index (BMI), triglyceride levels, and perceived stress.

Main Results:

• Consistent Booster Break attendees showed increased physical activity (pedometer counts) and decreased sedentary behavior.
• Booster Break participants maintained their body mass index (BMI) over 6 months, unlike the control group.
• Consistent attendees experienced a significant increase in triglyceride levels within the normal range.

Conclusions:

• The Booster Break intervention demonstrates potential for positive changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior.
• Consistent engagement with the Booster Break program is linked to significant improvements in health outcomes.
• Workplace interventions like Booster Break can be effective in managing employee BMI and reducing sedentary time.