Interventions to increase physical activity in the workplace, like those conducted by the UGA Workplace Health Group, have been named as one of the eight investments that work for physical activity by the International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH). A summary of worksite interventions is provided here and the full description for all eight investments are online also.

Check out some of the latest from the Workplace Health Group:

Associations Between Office Location and Adiposity in Office Workers

Occupational Physical Activity Opposes Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Modern Replication of the Morris 1953 London Busmen Study

Translating CDSMP to the Workplace: Results of the Live Healthy Work Healthy Program

The International Society for Physical Activity and Health have released an advocacy kit highlighting 8 key areas where we can support and increase participation in physical activity. Over the next few weeks ISPAH will release podcasts detailing how to invest in each area. Check it out!

For adults, the guidelines include:

1. Move More: Add movement throughout your day, including a variety of types and intensities. Aim to accumulate at least 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous aerobic physical activity, muscle strengthening activities at least twice a week, and several hours of light physical activities, including standing. Those 65+ should also include physical activities that challenge balance.
2. Reduce Sedentary Time: Limit sedentary time to 8 hours or less per day including no more than 3 hours of recreational screen time and breaking up long periods of sitting where possible.
3. Sleep Well: For those aged 18-64 set yourself up for 7 to 9 hours of good quality sleep on a regular basis, and 7 to 8 hours for those 65+ years. Consistent bed and wake up times are also key.

More at https://csepguidelines.ca/

Jennifer Gay, PACE Lab Director, recently published a paper with her colleague, Dr. David Buchner (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) on correlations between office location with physical activity participation and adiposity. See the UGA Research News coverage here and video summary. The full paper is published in the October 2020 issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Dr. Jennifer Gay provided expertise for this article at UGA Today on getting active outdoors during COVID-19. Read the full article here.

Congratulations to Kathryn Wyckoff who will be attending Emory’s Behavioral Science and Health Education MPH program this fall. She has been awarded a work-study program through the Rollins Earn and Learn Program (REAL). Rollins Earn and Learn (REAL) is a signature program funded by Rollins that offers full-time MPH/MSPH students valuable opportunities to earn while they learn through applied public health experiences in real-world settings. Beyond direct work experience, it is an opportunity for students to be mentored by public health professionals. Best wishes on the next step in your public health career!

Congratulations to Chantal LaFlamme for being accepted into the MPH-Health Services Policy & Management program for the upcoming fall semester! She will be a Graduate Research Assistant in Dr. Glenn Weaver’s lab in Exercise Science.

Dr. Gay shared updates from the 2018 National Physical Activity Guidelines and PACE Lab research at the 2020 Southeast Regional Clinical & Translational Science Conference sponsored by the Georgia CTSA. Check out the Move Your Way materials referenced in her talk!