The effect of workplace lifestyle programmes on diet, physical activity, and weight‐related outcomes for working women: A systematic review using the TIDieR checklist

Abstract

Summary Physical activity and healthy diets are essential for the prevention of obesity and chronic disease that disparately impact women compared with men. Given the number of women engaged in the workforce, workplace interventions could improve lifestyle behaviours and health outcomes for women. This systematic review aimed to identify intervention characteristics of lifestyle programmes or organizational policy changes in the workplace associated with improved diet, physical activity, or weight‐related outcomes for working women using the template for intervention description and replication (TIDieR) checklist. Seven databases were searched for controlled studies published up to March 2019 that included a workplace diet and/or physical activity intervention. From 5,318 identified records, 20 studies (23 articles and 26 intervention arms) were included. Data were extracted on diet, physical activity, weight‐related outcomes, and TIDieR components. Findings indicated that group delivery may improve physical activity outcomes, and a high number of sessions may benefit weight‐related outcomes for physical activity interventions. Mixed interventions that included tailoring and input from non‐healthcare professionals may also enhance physical activity. In contrast, the role of mixed interventions in improving diet and weight‐related outcomes was less clear. Overall, workplace health programmes were effective at improving lifestyle behaviours for working women.

Adherence to a Lifestyle Exercise and Nutrition Intervention in University Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The progressive elimination of mobility restrictions and lockdown, in subjects who were in a phase of predisposition to change, possibly caused everyone to increase their PA levels. However, very few randomized controlled trials performed in the workplace achieve a significant quantitative increase in the PA levels [ 42 , 48 , 67 , 68 , 69 ], and only one study maintains these results six months post-intervention [ 48 ]. The difference concerning our study is the unique context of a pandemic in which our participants have found themselves.…”

Corporate Well-Being Programme in COVID-19 Times. The Mahou San Miguel Case Study

“…In fact, efficiently and with good management, you can become self-sufficient [10]. This situation is due to the fact that a workplace is an environment conducive to the promotion of physical activity aimed at greater productivity and improved health, all due to its great physical and psychological benefits [11][12][13].…”

Workplace Healthy Lifestyle Determinants and Wellbeing Needs across the Preconception and Pregnancy Periods: A Qualitative Study Informed by the COM-B Model

“…Previous lifestyle interventions to improve the health and weight outcomes of pregnant women with overweight and obesity in antenatal settings have been hindered by women's pre-existing health conditions or low preconception fitness [18]. Conversely, a recent systematic review highlighted that workplace physical activity interventions can benefit weight and physical activity outcomes for working women [11]. However, given the low adherence to physical activity recommendations among women of childbearing age [2,19], it is clear that interventions must focus on enhancing women's capacity for physical activity during preconception.…”

“…The workplace presents specific challenges to the health and wellbeing of employees, manifested in the form of physical (e.g., heavy workloads) and social opportunities (e.g., workplace culture). We know work factors can contribute to ill health, poor lifestyle behaviors, and psychosocial risks [10,11]. However, the mechanism by which individual factors, such as capacity and motivation, interact with workplace processes to direct the health and wellbeing-related behaviors of preconception and pregnant working women, has yet to be established.…”