2023-08-07 08:09:33
Telecommuting has grown considerably since the Covid-19 pandemic. While it has greatly facilitated the way of working, it nevertheless requires employees to remain in a seated position in front of their computer screen for prolonged periods. However, this high sedentary lifestyle is not without health risks. Aware of the public health challenge represented by a sedentary lifestyle on a national scale, the French Public Health Agency has carried out a synthesis of the scientific literature aimed at identifying effective means of combating a sedentary lifestyle at work. We take stock.
Physical inactivity at work: what are the health risks?
A report by ANSES recently revealed that 38% of French people are exposed to too high levels of sedentary lifestyle due to too much time spent in a sitting or lying position. Some of them even stay in this position for more than 8 hours a day! These figures mainly concern young adults under the age of 45 as well as those with a low level of education.
However, you should know that sitting for long periods of time carries significant health risks. with an increased risk of developing various pathologies (cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, hypertension or obesity). Moreover, beyond 8 hours of sedentary time per day, each new hour spent in a sitting or lying position would increase the risk of mortality by 12%.
To know ! The deleterious health effects of time spent sitting are more pronounced in physically inactive people.
Conversely, frequent interruptions of the time spent in a sitting position have a beneficial effect on health, in particular on cardiovascular health.
To know ! To fight against a sedentary lifestyle and limit the time spent sitting or in front of screens, recommendations are available on the mangerbouger.fr website.
Read also – Lack of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle: The health of the French in danger!
How to fight sedentary lifestyle at work?
In this context of worrying sedentariness on a national scale, Public Health France is considering the implementation of numerous actions aimed at reducing sedentary lifestyles at all ages of life. In particular, the agency carried out a synthesis of the scientific literature with the aim of identifying effective means of combating a sedentary lifestyle at work. Several strategies have thus emerged, including:
Adjustments in company policy through organizational changes, standing meetings, setting up “active” break times. Adjustments in the work environment through “active furniture” such as “sit-stand” desks, desks with pedals, treadmills… Informing and motivating employees through posters, flyers, digital messages, sending alerts to interrupt sitting time, behavior monitoring, motivational interviews…
It shows that the strategy of active furniture remains the most effective measure to reduce the time spent sitting. By promoting freedom of movement, an individual sit-stand desk helps to reduce the time spent sitting by up to 3h36 per day compared to a conventional desk. And all without reducing worker productivity! As for the other strategies, some of the most promising can be used both in the workplace and in the context of teleworking.
Next step for Public Health France? Communicate on the subject with employers through a simplified and illustrated document that will be distributed via the platform www.employeurspourlasante.fr. There is no doubt that the dissemination of these pieces of information will be a valuable aid in the fight against the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle!
To know ! The employersforlasante.fr platform, designed by Public Health France, provides employers with information and tools for prevention and health promotion.
Read also – Physical activity, essential for the prevention of cardiovascular risk in seniors
Déborah L., Dr in Pharmacy
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