[Workshop on Health Risks of Sedentary Behavior at Workplace - Solutions Part II]

Health risks of prolonged periods of sitting at work are a matter of concern. Solutions are needed based on interdisciplinary collaborations of research experts and practitioners in occupational safety and health areas.

In February 2019, at a workshop in Berlin of experts from different fields, issues of scientific evidence on the health risks of sedentary behaviour at work were presented in 6 lectures and solutions for the workplace were discussed. The workshop is documented here in 2 parts. Gender relevant aspects are distinguished where possible.

Part II describes solution approaches for practice in the workplace. The results of a recent evaluation of dynamic workplaces are presented. Two examples provide insight into ongoing workplace health promotion measures addressing sedentary behavior in Germany which currently mainly target measures to increase physical activity rather than measures to interrupt long sedentary bouts. The documentation of the plenary discussion summarizes how interventions addressing sedentary behaviour at the workplace can be successful.

Decision makers increasingly realize that there is a trend in the 21st century towards low physical demands due to increasingly sedentary tasks in the workplace. Despite research gaps, there is a need for evidence-based decisions in policy and workplace practices. Germany can learn from the experiences of other countries.