Did you know the average American spends 69% of their waking hours sitting? This presentation includes a comprehensive look at risks and costs associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Includes workplace remedies that can be implemented to help these workers and improve overall productivity.

1. UCare
February 15, 2017
SEDENTARY WORKERS AND THE COST TO EMPLOYERS

2. A Sedentary Lifestyle
INDIVIDUALS THAT GETS LITTLE TO NO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
According to the Center for Disease Control, Adults need
at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity
activity and muscle strengthening activities every week
to be considered physically fit. Unfortunately, only about
1 in 5, or 21% of adults in the U.S. meets the physical
activity guidelines. [1]

3. We have all seen the problem.
MORE AMERICANS ARE GETTING LESS EXERCISE
WELCOA
estimates that
70-80% of the
U.S. population
is physically
inactive.

4. Why Are So Many Sedentary
WE SPEND 69% OF OUR WAKING HOURS SITTING
More technology means more sitting!
Gaming Web Surfing Social Media Movie Streaming

5. Why Are So Many Sedentary
TECHNOLOGY AND AUTOMATION IMPACTING JOBS
Gaming Web Surfing
- -
Sedentary jobs increased 83%
since 1950.
Less than 20% in physical
demanding jobs.
Service Sales
Technology Logistics Industrial & Heavy Manufacturing

6. Consequences of Sedentary Lifestyle
INCREASED MEDICAL COSTS AND LOST PRODUCTIVITY
• Absenteeism
• Presenteeism-workers
who are on the job but
not fully functioning
• Short-term disability
• On-the-job injuries that
do not qualify for
workers’ compensation.

7. Consequences of Sedentary Lifestyle
HERE’S WHAT THE STATISTICS SAY
$3,000 per year: Added health care costs to employers for workers that lead
sedentary lifestyles.
$1,462 or 36% higher: Added medical expense for obese adults versus those
with normal weight.
Nearly $0.10: of every dollar spent on primary medical care is due to physical
inactivity
$153 Billion per year: lost productivity from absenteeism due to obesity,
hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and depression.

8. Consequences of Sedentary Lifestyle
THE MANY MEDICAL MALADIES
Heart Disease: The efficiency of coronary blood flow is impaired in people
who are physically inactive.
Hypertension: Also known as high blood pressure is one of the main risk
factors for the development of stroke or kidney disease.
Type 2 Diabetes: Two risk factors for developing adult onset diabetes include
being overweight and physical inactivity.
Osteoporosis: Without proper physical activity, overtime the bones can
become weak, which can cause the bones to fracture easily.

9. OK, we get it a Sedentary Lifestyle is bad
STOP WITH THE LECTURE SO WE CAN GET TO THE GYM
Do you think
your yoga,
aerobics or 40
minute walk is
enough to
overcome 11
hours of sitting?

10. The Effects of Excessive Sitting
DAILY EXERCISE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO COUNTERACT
After just 90 minutes of continuous sitting, the body begins to
show negative effects as gravity takes its toll on posture,
forcing the body forwards and down. Electrical nerve activity in
the leg muscles shuts off, calorie burn drops to one per minute,
enzymes that break down fat drop by 90% and circulation and
blood flow are restricted to the lower body. All this happens
whether you exercise every day or do no activity at all.

11. The Effects of Excessive Sitting
MORE EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT BREAKS ARE NEEDED
Cardiovascular-health experts
concluded ”it isn’t the time we
spend exercising, but the time we
spend not moving at all.”
An Australian study suggests it is
about creating pockets of moderate
activity throughout the day to give
your body a respite from sitting.
Sitting leads to muscle inactivity. Your
body was made for movement—to
bend, squat, stretch, reach, walk,
skip, hop, and jump.

12. So What is the Solution?
THE SCHEDULING OF “SEDENTARY INTERUPTIONS”
Conditions in
the workplace
can be
improved to
help sedentary
workers

13. Promoting Sedentary Interruptions
EASY IMPROVEMENTS COMPANIES CAN MAKE
Alter Schedules
and Habits
Change the
Workspace
Implement
Technology
Encourage &
Motivate

14. Promoting Sedentary Interruptions
ALTER SCHEDULES AND HABITS
Less Email and More Talk: Get up and talk to you coworker instead of
sending an email. Some companies have instituted email-free Fridays to get
employees out of their chairs more often, Levine
Meeting Time Becomes Standing Time: Whenever a meeting is taking
place, choose to stand. Meeting hosts can pull the chairs aside and let
everyone stand. As an added benefit meetings go much faster.
Hourly Water Breaks: Leave your desk every hour to get a drink of water.
Find Time to Stand: Standing uses more muscles and burns more calories
than sitting. So, make it a habit to stand whenever you talk on the telephone.
Stretch and Bend: Have a whole day approach to breaking the sedentary
lifestyle. Hourly activities are better than a long walk at lunch.

15. Promoting Sedentary Interruptions
CHANGE THE WORKSPACE
Optimize the Workstation: Options and more options. Utilize stand-up
desks, adjustable work stations and/or stability ball to break the sitting habit.
Re-arrange the Office: Move trash cans out of cubicles to make people
walk to throw out garbage. Relocate copiers and watercoolers to get people
up and moving.
Re-think the conference Room: Allow room for individuals to get up
and stretch.
Install a Treadmill Workstation: Standing uses more muscles and burns
more calories than sitting. So, make it a habit to stand whenever you talk on
the telephone.

16. Promoting Sedentary Interruptions
IMPLEMENT TECHNOLOGY
Wearable Devices: One of the biggest trends and practical tools to
encourage activity. They provide an all-encompassing image of wellness,
which can be highly motivating.
Fitness Apps: No matter how or where you exercise there is an app to suit
your need. There are also solutions specifically designed for the office to
support short exercises to combat sedentary lifestyles.
Online Training: Leave your desk every hour to get a drink of water.
Social Accountability: Accountability is one of the most powerful
incentives for behavior change. Devices and applications that have a social
element are very effective when it comes to long-term success.

17. Promoting Sedentary Interruptions
ENCOURAGE AND MOTIVATE
Get a Group Going: Encourage employees to form walking, running or
other groups that promote wellness and activity.
Incentivize: Offer prizes and recognition to encourage sedentary workers to
get up moving throughout the workday. Remember it’s not about the miles or
pounds lost but the frequency of the activities.
Subsidize Technology: Eliminate the cost barrier by subsidizing or paying
for technology that promotes “getting active”.
Be Truly Committed: Encourage and support frequent activities.
• Allow time away from the desk throughout the day.
• Allow standing during meetings

18. A Final Thought
WE NEED TO ENGAGE ALL INDIVIDUALS
Many sedentary employees can be intimidated by a gym
or a running track. Rather than focusing on losing
specific amounts of weight or engaging in a certain
number of hours of exercise per day etc., programs
that encourage sedentary workers to get up and
get moving throughout the workday may provide
the biggest chance of success.

19. UCare
February 15, 2017
Getting all individuals, even those with sedentary lifestyles, to take
the first step towards healthier lifestyles.