Occupational sitting time, its determinants and intervention strategies in Malaysian office workers: a mixed-methods study

Are Malaysians Exercising? A Psychometric Analysis of Their Physical Activity Habits, Physical Literacy and Exercise Participation Rates among Adults with and without Disability

BACKGROUND

Physical activity levels of adults worldwide have reported a rising trend in sedentarism. This study's main objective is to analyze and understand the current tendency in this field and in physical literacy among Malaysian adults in order to improve physical performance.

METHODS

The sample from which the data were collected corresponded to 352 Malaysian participants (N = 176 non-disabled, N = 176 physical disability) using The Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities questionnaire.

RESULTS

Four factors were extracted, consisting of leisure activities, home maintenance, household chores, and career. The group with physical disability reported higher physical activity levels (14.30 MET h/day) compared to non-disabled (12.77 MET h/day), performing higher in leisure activities and light exercise. The compliance rate to health-beneficial exercise was 12.8% and was significantly higher among those with physical disability. Self-reported physical activity level correlated moderately well to overall MET performed p < 0.000, (r = 0.57). Only 2.8% of the respondents were aware of the recommendations outlined by health guidelines.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that the population surveyed was moderately active but had low compliance to exercise habits as recommended by international health guidelines. Non-participation in prescribed exercises was linked to higher education, urban dwellers, and higher income. The study also highlighted very low physical literacy among respondents in health recommended exercise guidelines.

[Work-related sedentary behavior]

Background

Sedentary behavior is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases, such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes and all-cause mortality. Occupational sitting time contributes to large amounts of daily sedentary behavior, especially in office workers.

Objective

This study investigated the amount of time spent in sedentary behavior during different tasks at work and while commuting of administrative personnel of a university hospital in Germany.

Material and methods

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of administrative employees at the University Hospital Regensburg, Germany was carried out to assess work-related sedentary behavior. Descriptive and exploratory statistical analyses were performed.

Results

The study population consisted of 159 participants (54.1% women, 51.6% older than 40 years), which corresponds to a response rate of 26%. The median daily sitting time in the office was 7.0 h (interquartile range, IQR 6.0-7.5 h) and mostly occurred during computer work (57.3%), telephone calls (13.2%) and meetings (11.7%). Median standing time at work was 0.8 h (IQR 0.3-1.4 h). Administrative staff spent a median of 0.7 h (IQR 0.3-1.0 h) per day sedentary while commuting, with 67.3% of respondents commuting by car, motorbike or scooter. The participants were of the opinion that sitting for long uninterrupted periods had negative (69.6%) or relatively negative (29.7%) effects on health.

Conclusion

Administrative staff in hospitals spend large amounts of the daily working time with sedentary behavior. Interventions that enable working both in sitting and standing positions can lead to reduced work-related sitting time and thereby could improve occupational and, in a broader sense, public health.