Office workers live their lives sitting at the table
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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During the workweek a day, the average person spends 5 hours and 41 minutes sitting at his workplace and spends 7 hours sleeping. Long sitting at the table not only harms physical health, but also negatively affects mental well-being. To this conclusion came the researchers Miann Duncan and Cheryl Haslam from the University of Loughborough (Great Britain). The results of their research, the scientists presented at the annual conference of the British Psychological Society.
According to the results of the study, about 70% of office workers interviewed at the age of 50 and younger did not comply with the recommendations on physical activity. In the course of this study, scientists examined 1,000 employees in occupational health for 18 months in 2009-11.
Researchers analyzed the way of life, physical activity, the index of work capacity of the participants in the study. All participants responded to a questionnaire on general health and attitudes towards work (job satisfaction, organizational commitment, motivation for work, intention to quit smoking).
The results of the study also showed that:
- People who spend more time at work are more likely to lead a sedentary lifestyle outside of work.
- There is a correlation between the indices of the body mass index and the time spent at the workplace.
- Cigarette work reduces a person's mental well-being.
Today in the UK, as well as everywhere in Europe, there is a tendency to increase the number of employees aged 50 and older. In connection with the increase in the share of sedentary work, scientists focus on the health, working conditions and mental well-being of employees.
Dr. Duncan says: "At the moment, many organizations are in urgent need of physical activity, I would advise you to move more actively at work, for example, go and talk to your colleagues face to face, instead of using Skype or e-mail."
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