Take a Stand!-a multi-component intervention aimed at reducing sitting time among office workers-a cluster randomized trial.
Prolonged sitting time has been associated with adverse health outcomes. Interventions at work may contribute to reduced sitting. The objective was to test if a multicomponent work-based intervention can reduce sitting time and the number of prolonged sitting periods (> 30 min), increase the number of sit-to-stand transitions and decrease waist circumference and body fat percentage among office workers. Primary outcomes were: change in sitting time, prolonged sitting periods and sit-to-stand transitions at follow-up 1 month later.



At four workplaces, 19 offices (317 workers in total) were cluster randomized for intervention or control. The intervention included the appointment of local ambassadors, management support, environmental changes, a lecture and a workshop. Sitting time was measured using an ActiGraph GT3X+ fixed on the thigh. Data were processed using Acti4 software providing data on time spent sitting, standing and doing other activities. Control participants were instructed to behave as usual. Follow-up measurements were obtained after 1 and 3 months.



At 1 and 3 months, total sitting time was 71 ( P < 0.001) and 48 min ( P < 0.001) lower per 8-h workday in the intervention group compared with the control group. At 1 month, the number of prolonged sitting periods was lower (-0.79/8-h workday, P < 0.001) and sit-to-stand transitions were higher (+14%/sitting hour, P = 0.001) in the intervention compared with the control group. After 3 months, trends persisted. The body fat percentage was lower by 0.61 percentage points ( P = 0.011) in the intervention group compared with the control group after 3 months.



The multicomponent workplace-based intervention was effective in reducing sitting time, prolonged sitting periods and body fat percentage, and in increasing the number of sit-to-stand transitions.
National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
I H
IH
Danquah
National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
S
S
Kloster
National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark.
A
A
Holtermann
Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Glostrup University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark.|Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark and.
M
M
Aadahl
School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
A
A
Bauman
National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
A K
AK
Ersbøll
National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
J S
JS
Tolstrup
D000328:Adult; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D016272:Occupational Health; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013997:Time Factors; D017132:Workplace
Sitting time; cluster randomized controlled trial; prolonged sitting; sit-to-stand transitions; workplace