Associations Between Office Location and Adiposity in Office Workers

Evaluate whether having to walk longer distances to common destinations within office buildings is associated with less adiposity and greater occupational physical activity.

Distances between offices and amenities were measured for 108 office-based workers, as was body fat percentage, waist circumference, number of sedentary breaks at work, and duration and intensity of activity at work.

Being further away from the building entrance was correlated with lower body fat percentage. Greater distance from a participant's office to the copier was associated with smaller waist circumferences. Correlations were found between distance to the bathroom and work activity, and sedentary breaks with distance to the break room and distance from the printer or copier.

Worksites interested in improving the health of their employees should consider how building design affects occupational physical activity and health.