Influencing Health Beliefs and sedentary Behaviours in Working Adults: A Video-Based Intervention Study

Abstract

Adults working in academic occupations are at risk for exposure to sedentary behaviours. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of an educational video on viewer's health beliefs and sedentary behaviours. Data was collected between March and April 2017 from healthy adults employed in an academic institution in Ontario, Canada (n=71; age= 40.0±12.1 y) using a single-group, pre-post design. Evidence-based strategies to reduce sedentary behaviour at home and at work were summarized and presented as cues to action in a 5-minute video. Self-reported physical activity, sedentary behaviours, health beliefs, and readiness to change were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Sedentary behaviour Health Belief Questionnaire, and Readiness Ruler, respectively, one week before (T1), immediately after (T2), and one week after watching the video (T3). Occupational and leisure-time sitting time was assessed daily via participant log. Participants reduced weekday and weekend sitting time by-35.9 minutes/day (p=0.03) and-21.1 minutes/day (p=0.01), respectively. Readiness to change increased between T2 and T3 (p=0.004). Perceived severity of (p=0.03) and susceptibility to (p=0.01) the health risks associated with sedentary behaviour increased from T1 to T2. Perceived benefit scores (r s =-0.25, p=0.04) at T2 were inversely associated with reductions in sitting time from T2 to T3. It is possible that exposure to the video influenced several health benefits constructs and reduced daily sitting time in healthy adults working in academic occupations.