The Economic Impact of Changing Sedentary Behaviour
A recent Conference Board of Canada report reveals statistical results that every organizational leader should be aware of, Moving Ahead: The Economic Impact of Reducing Physical Inactivity and Sedentary Behaviour incorporated an analytical model ranging from 2015 to 2040.
Simply by getting 10 per cent of Canadians with sub-optimal levels of physical activity to move more and reduce their sedentary behaviour would produce significant results, including:
* a substantial reduction in the the incidence rates for major chronic conditions resulting in Canadians living longer and healthier lives.
* a cumulative $7.5 billion increase in the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2040.
* a cumulative $2.6 billion reduction in health care spending on hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
* an increase in the total number of Canadians available and willing to work. For example, in 2020, there would be 4,100 more people in the labour force; by 2030, this number increased rapidly to 14,700; and by 2040, to over 22,000.
* a reduction in the total number of days of work missed (absenteeism) by nearly 90,000 by 2040; this also helps to boost productivity and expand the Canadian economy.
* a larger and more productive pool of labour, which in turn boosts productivity, increases GDP, and ultimately enhances living standards.
This analysis has shown that even small increases to national physical activity levels can lead to tangible economic and health benefits. The results also suggest that even a modest improvement can yield tangible benefits to individuals, employers, and government.
The more people that achieve the recommended physical activity guidelines, the more positive the implications will be for the economy, government finances, and labour force productivity.
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Source: Alberta Centre for Active Living's summary of Moving Ahead: The Economic Impact of Reducing Physical Inactivity and Sedentary Behaviour, The Conference Board of Canada
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"If 10 percent of employees went from not walking at all to walking one to five hours per week, they would miss almost 90,000 fewer work days due to illness by 2040 and reduce the time employees spend on short- and long-term disability leaves."
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Take the Work Out of Working Out at the Office
Helping people to move more and sit less involves a comprehensive approach from promoting and supporting individual actions, to facilitating family and co-worker supports, to creating a supportive environment within the workplace. Here are a few ideas that workplaces can incorporate from simple activities to those that help shape the culture of the organizations:
Provide education about physical activity and sedentary behaviour in a variety of formats including posters, brochures/pamphlets, sticky notes, emails, company website, webinars, Lunch n Learn sessions (informative and interactive) or other creative communications.
Introduce employees to different activities that can be done both during and outside of the work day. Invite an expert to provide an interactive demonstration to get them started. Some examples include yoga, walk-run programs, tai-chi, using workout band, chair exercises.
Bring in an instructor and offer regular classes such as yoga, Pilates, dance, etc.
Send email reminders (programs exist that do this) encouraging employees to stand up at least once every hour.
Remind employees at every meeting that standing is an option. Plan times to stand during meetings.
Provide standing desks for each employee or have a few in the office that people can use.
Conduct walking or standing meetings.
Promote a stair climbing challenge.
Introduce recess during the work day.
Offer fit breaks throughout the day at specific times.
Provide employees with a pedometer or digital tracker (e.g. a FitBit). You can incorporate challenges, incentive programs, a how to program focusing on walking.
Start a walking club. Have employees take turns leading the walks.
Challenge employees to reach a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Have people sign a pledge and support each other to meet their goal.
Register your company in community charity fundraising activities that are physical activity focused (e.g. Terry Fox Run, etc.).
Provide flexible work hours.
Subsidize physical activity purchases such as fitness club memberships, running shoes, home fitness equipment (e.g. weights, weight bench, stability balls, Fitness DVDs).
Designate the lunch hour as a no meeting time so that employees can schedule that time to be active without having to cancel it for a meeting.
Provide bike racks so employees can ride to work or subsidize public transit.
Put in showers and lockers. If this isnt possible, designate a room that people can use as a change room and include supplies including spritz bottles, spray deodorant, powder, a mirror, an iron and board, etc.
Changing a Sedentary Workforce Requires
Knowledge and Know How
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