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Published on: March 7, 2019
Workplace Interventions to Improve Physical Activity, Reduce Sedentary Behavior, and Promote Healthy Diet Among
Samina Akhtar1, Khadija A Sumra2, Zainab Samad1
1Aga Khan University.
Research Square
|July 29, 2026
Summary
Workplace interventions in low- and middle-income countries show promise for improving cardiovascular disease risk factors. Multicomponent programs focusing on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and diet yield the best results.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Occupational Health
- Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading global cause of death, with a significant impact on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- Workplaces offer a strategic setting for interventions targeting modifiable CVD risk factors like physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, and poor diet.
- Adult employees in LMICs face a disproportionate burden of CVD risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the effectiveness and implementation of workplace interventions for physical activity, sedentary behavior, or diet in LMICs.
- To synthesize evidence on behavioral and cardiometabolic outcomes of these interventions.
- To identify successful intervention strategies and implementation challenges.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted.
- Searched five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, OATD, Google Scholar) for studies from January 2000 to May 2025.
- Included studies on working adults in LMICs targeting at least one CVD-related behavior, with narrative synthesis due to heterogeneity.
Main Results:
- Sixteen studies from six LMICs were included, with interventions varying in focus (physical activity, reducing sitting time, diet).
- Technology-supported and environmental interventions showed improvements in physical activity and reduced sitting time.
- Multicomponent programs, especially theory-informed ones, demonstrated the most consistent improvements in blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol, though implementation faced challenges like high attrition.
Conclusions:
- Workplace interventions in LMICs show potential for improving cardiovascular health, particularly multicomponent programs.
- Simple modifications in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and diet are feasible starting points.
- Interventions should be augmented with components to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for greater impact.
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