EVES, FRANK F., OLIVER J. WEBB, AND NANETTE MUTRIE. A workplace intervention to promote stair climbing: greater effects in the overweight. Obesity. 2006; 14:2210 -2216. Objective: Stair climbing is a lifestyle physical activity that uses more calories per minute than jogging. This study tested an intervention designed to promote stair climbing in a workplace. Because previous studies provide only equivocal evidence of the effects of increased stair climbing in worksites, a formal comparison of the effects of the intervention on stair ascent and descent was made. Research Methods and Procedures:In a five-story public sector building, a 2-week baseline was followed by 6 weeks of an intervention involving a 23 1 ⁄2-ϫ 16 1 ⁄2-inch poster in the lobby, the same poster and six messages affixed to the stair risers between floors, and an 11 3 ⁄4-ϫ 8 1 ⁄4-inch pointof-choice prompt at the elevators. Stair and elevator choices (n ϭ 26,806) were videotaped throughout and subsequently coded for direction of travel, traveler's sex, and traveler's load. Weight status was coded using silhouettes beside the computer monitor. Results: A significant effect of the intervention on stair climbing was greater in those coded as overweight (ϩ5.4%; odds ratio ϭ 1.33) than in individuals of normal weight (ϩ2.5%; odds ratio ϭ 1.12). Although stair descent was more common than ascent, the intervention had similar effects for both directions of travel. Discussion: Stair climbing at work has few barriers and seems to be a type of physical activity that is acceptable to overweight individuals. The relatively weak effect of workplace interventions compared with results for public access staircases may reflect uncontrolled effects such as the immediate availability of the elevator for the traveler.

People with intellectual disability have considerable health needs and variable health care. The introduction of annual health screens for IHC residents in New Zealand resulted in some 73% of screened people requiring follow-up interventions. The introduction of the health screens raised a number of issues for management, staff, health professionals and clients who might subsequently be involved in an exercise of this type and magnitude. The importance of applying principles of management promoted by proponents of total quality management has been apparent throughout the whole exercise.

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BackgroundAccumulation of lifestyle physical activity is a current aim of health promotion, with increased stair climbing one public health target. While the workplace provides an opportunity for regular stair climbing, evidence for effectiveness of point-of-choice interventions is equivocal. This paper reports a new approach to worksite interventions, aimed at changing attitudes and, hence, behaviour.MethodsPre-testing of calorific expenditure messages used structured interviews with members of the public (n = 300). Effects of multi-component campaigns on stair climbing were tested with quasi-experimental, interrupted time-series designs. In one worksite, a main campaign poster outlining the amount of calorific expenditure obtainable from stair climbing and a conventional point-of-choice prompt were used (Poster alone site). In a second worksite, additional messages in the stairwell about calorific expenditure reinforced the main campaign (Poster + Stairwell messages site). The outcome variables were automated observations of stair and lift ascent (28,854) and descent (29,352) at baseline and for three weeks after the intervention was installed. Post-intervention questionnaires for employees at the worksites assessed responses to the campaign (n = 253). Analyses employed Analysis of Variance with follow-up Bonferroni t-tests (message pre-testing), logistic regression of stair ascent and descent (campaign testing), and Bonferroni t-tests and multiple regression (follow-up questionnaire).ResultsPre-testing of messages based on calorific expenditure suggested they could motivate stair climbing if believed. The new campaign increased stair climbing, with greater effects at the Poster + Stairwell messages site (OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.40-1.66) than Posters alone (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.15-1.34). Follow-up revealed higher agreement with two statements about calorific outcomes of stair climbing in the site where they were installed in the stairwell, suggesting more positive attitudes resulted from the intervention. Future intentions for stair use were predicted by motivation by the campaign and beliefs that stair climbing would help weight control.ConclusionsMulti-component campaigns that target attitudes and intentions may substantially increase stair climbing at work.

PurposeStudies report a significant increase in stair use when message prompts are introduced at the 'point-of-choice' between stairs and escalators. Climbing one set of stairs, however, will not confer meaningful health dividends. Therefore, this study examined whether exposure to point-of-choice prompts also encourages individuals to climb the next set of stairs that they encounter. DesignInterrupted time-series design. SettingsTwo separate stair/escalator pairings within a UK shopping mall (the 'intervention' site and the 'generalization' site), separated by a 25m-long atrium. SubjectsAscending pedestrians (intervention site n=29,713; generalization site n=47,553). InterventionsTwo weeks of baseline monitoring were followed by a 13-week intervention in which banners carrying health promotion messages were introduced at the intervention site only. MeasuresAt both sites observers inconspicuously recorded pedestrians' method of ascent, along with their gender, age, ethnicity and baggage. ResultsBanners increased stair climbing at the intervention site by 161%. Results also suggest a simultaneous increase of up to 143% at the generalization site, where no prompt was in place.At both sites stair use remained significantly elevated five weeks after the banners were removed. ConclusionsIt appears that exposure to point-of-choice prompts can encourage pedestrians to climb stairs when encountered in a subsequent setting. Consequently, stair climbing interventions are likely to engage the public in more physical activity than previously realised. PurposeA sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. [1][2][3] In industrialised nations, however, up to 75% of people remain insufficiently active. 4,5 Alongside health consequences for the individual, sedentariness bears a significant financial burden on society. In the U.S., for example, the annual cost of physical inactivity has been estimated at over $76 billion in direct medical expenses alone. 6 Increasing population activity levels is, therefore, a public health priority. Engaging individuals in exercise has proven difficult, however, as evidenced by persistently low participation rates. 7 In addition, evidence has emerged that significant health benefits can be derived by accruing moderate intensity activity throughout the day. 8 Therefore, guidelines from the early 1990s, which emphasised sustained vigorous exercise, have been broadened. Latest recommendations advise a minimum of 30 mins of moderate intensity activity per day, which may be accumulated in 10 minute bouts. 9 Alongside the change in exercise guidelines a Socio-Ecological model of physical activity promotion has emerged. [10][11][12][13] This approach recognises that the environment and policy decisions can have an important impact on physical activity, in addition to intrapersonal factors (e.g., psychological and biological variables) and interpersonal processes (e.g., social support). Within this framework, interventions to promote stair climbing exemplify how the enviro...