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1.
Sedentary Behavior and Public Health: Integrating the Evidence and Identifying Potential Solutions.
Owen, N, Healy, GN, Dempsey, PC, Salmon, J, Timperio, A, Clark, BK, Goode, AD, Koorts, H, Ridgers, ND, Hadgraft, NT, et al
Annual review of public health. 2020;:265-287
Abstract
In developed and developing countries, social, economic, and environmental transitions have led to physical inactivity and large amounts of time spent sitting. Research is now unraveling the adverse public health consequences of too much sitting. We describe improvements in device-based measurement that are providing new insights into sedentary behavior and health. We consider the implications of research linking evidence from epidemiology and behavioral science with mechanistic insights into the underlying biology of sitting time. Such evidence has led to new sedentary behavior guidelines and initiatives. We highlight ways that this emerging knowledge base can inform public health strategy: First, we consider epidemiologic and experimental evidence on the health consequences of sedentary behavior; second, we describe solutions-focused research from initiatives in workplaces and schools. To inform a broad public health strategy, researchers need to pursue evidence-informed collaborations with occupational health, education, and other sectors.
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2.
The influences of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical service behaviors.
Chang, WH
Taiwanese journal of obstetrics & gynecology. 2020;(6):821-827
Abstract
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has greatly impacted medical services worldwide. In addition to changing the processes used by hospital medical services, it has also changed the behaviors of medical staff, resulting in a completely different appearance. Fear of being infected with COVID-19 makes patients fear entering hospitals, and hospitals must repeatedly screen patients prior to entry in order to confirm that they are not infected. Patients are then separated according to their symptoms and travel, occupation, contact and cluster histories (TOCC), which seriously affects them. In addition, hospitals have invested a lot of money into the whole visiting process and into the equipment required to prevent the spread or lessen the impact of COVID-19.
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3.
'Hidden' occupational allergens such as additives.
Quirce, S, Antolín-Amérigo, D, Domínguez-Ortega, J
Current opinion in allergy and clinical immunology. 2018;(2):67-72
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW With the development of innovative technologies, new agents are continually introduced to the workplace. Some of these agents can act as hidden allergens whenever they are not declared in the product labels or whenever their health hazards are unknown. This review article focuses on the identification and description of unusual and/or hidden allergens recently incriminated in occupational diseases. RECENT FINDINGS Occupational exposure is an important global health issue that can induce respiratory and cutaneous disorders, as well as life-threatening anaphylaxis. Apart from the classic forms of occupational exposure, reports have emerged from nonconventional or newly identified allergens or additives. These compounds are substances added to another in order to alter or improve the general quality or to counteract undesirable properties, and some of them may behave as potent and frequently hidden allergens. These highly uncommon and/or hidden allergens belong to several categories: foods, spices, cosmetics, insects, enzymes, chemicals, drugs, preservatives, and coloring agents, among others. SUMMARY A high level of suspicion and awareness about the potential hidden allergens is necessary to ascertain the allergens implicated. It is of utmost importance to identify the specific eliciting agents of the occupational diseases in order to avoid strictly further exposure to them.
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4.
Do workplace policies influence a woman's decision to breastfeed?
Winegar, R, Johnson, A
The Nurse practitioner. 2017;(4):34-39
Abstract
This literature review addresses workplace breastfeeding policies in the United States. Breastfeeding yields many important benefits to both mother and infants, yet workplace barriers contribute to low rates of breastfeeding. NPs often serve as the initial point of education for new mothers and may impact decisions to breastfeed.
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5.
Integrated Approaches to Occupational Health and Safety: A Systematic Review.
Cooklin, A, Joss, N, Husser, E, Oldenburg, B
American journal of health promotion : AJHP. 2017;(5):401-412
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The study objective was to conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of integrated workplace interventions that combine health promotion with occupational health and safety. DATA SOURCE Electronic databases (n = 8), including PsychInfo and MEDLINE, were systematically searched. STUDY INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA Studies included were those that reported on workplace interventions that met the consensus definition of an "integrated approach," published in English, in the scientific literature since 1990. DATA EXTRACTION Data extracted were occupation, worksite, country, sample size, intervention targets, follow-up period, and results reported. Quality was assessed according to American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Practice Guidelines. DATA SYNTHESIS Heterogeneity precluded formal meta-analyses. Results were classified according to the outcome(s) assessed into five categories (health promotion, injury prevention, occupational health and safety management, psychosocial, and return-on-investment). Narrative synthesis of outcomes was performed. RESULTS A total of 31 eligible studies were identified; 23 (74%) were (quasi-)experimental trials. Effective interventions were most of those aimed at improving employee physical or mental health. Less consistent results were reported from integrated interventions targeting occupational health and safety management, injury prevention, or organizational cost savings. CONCLUSION Integrated approaches have been posed as comprehensive solutions to complex issues. Empirical evidence, while still emerging, provides some support for this. Continuing investment in, and evaluation of, integrated approaches are worthwhile.
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6.
Work- related Stress, over-nutrition and cognitive disability.
Ippoliti, F, Corbosiero, P, Canitano, N, Massoni, F, Ricciardi, MR, Ricci, L, Archer, T, Ricci, S
La Clinica terapeutica. 2017;(1):e42-e47
Abstract
Work-related stress may exert a negative impact on a variety of physical and psychological attributes relating to the health of employees and work organizations. Several studies conducted in Italy have shown that workers and employees who express less satisfaction show increased symptoms of obesity and cognitive disability. The latest evidence underlines the pathogenic relationship between stress and neurological disease through inflammatory neuro- immune activation. The aim of this review was to describe the relationship between workplace stress and adverse changes in lifestyle that develop into obesity, neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction. The molecular mechanisms involved and guidelines for the prevention of these trends are discussed briefly.
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7.
Interventions to reduce sedentary behavior and increase physical activity during productive work: a systematic review.
Commissaris, DACM, Huysmans, MA, Mathiassen, SE, Srinivasan, D, Koppes, LLJ, Hendriksen, IJM
Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health. 2016;(3):181-191
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This review addresses the effectiveness of workplace interventions that are implemented during productive work and are intended to change workers` SB and/or PA. METHODS We searched Scopus for articles published from 1992 until 12 March 2015. Relevant studies were evaluated using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies and summarized in a best-evidence synthesis. Primary outcomes were SB and PA, both at work and overall (ie, during the whole day); work performance and health-related parameters were secondary outcomes. RESULTS The review included 40 studies describing 41 interventions organized into three categories: alternative workstations (20), interventions promoting stair use (11), and personalized behavioral interventions (10). Alternative workstations were found to decrease overall SB (strong evidence; even for treadmills separately); interventions promoting stair use were found to increase PA at work while personalized behavioral interventions increased overall PA (both with moderate evidence). There was moderate evidence to show alternative workstations influenced neither hemodynamics nor cardiorespiratory fitness and personalized behavioral interventions did not influence anthropometric measures. Evidence was either insufficient or conflicting for intervention effects on work performance and lipid and metabolic profiles. CONCLUSIONS Current evidence suggests that some of the reviewed workplace interventions that are compatible with productive work indeed have positive effects on SB or PA at work. In addition, some of the interventions were found to influence overall SB or PA positively. Putative long-term effects remain to be established.
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8.
Toxicity and oxidative stress induced by chromium in workers exposed from different occupational settings around the globe: A review.
Junaid, M, Hashmi, MZ, Malik, RN, Pei, DS
Environmental science and pollution research international. 2016;(20):20151-20167
Abstract
The present review focused on the levels and toxicological status of heavy metals especially chromium (Cr) in the exposed workers from different occupational settings around the globe and in Pakistan. It was found that exposed workers from leather tanning and metal plating units showed elevated levels of Cr than the workers from other occupational settings. Cr and other heavy metals level in biological matrices of the exposed workers in different occupational settings revealed that developing countries are severely contaminated. Occupational settings from the Sialkot district, Pakistan exhibited elevated level of Cr in biological entities of the exposed workers. Review suggested that higher level of Cr exposure to the workers enhance the oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydroxyl (OH) radical generation) which may cause; cellular and molecular damage such as genotoxicity and chromosomal aberration formations, and carcinogenic effects. This review will help to understand the Cr contamination mechanisms and associated health implications in different occupational settings around the globe in general and particularly to Pakistan. This study will also assist occupational health and safety management authorities to devise or change the Cr recommended exposure limits (REL) for different occupational settings.
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9.
Systematic review: height-adjustable workstations to reduce sedentary behaviour in office-based workers.
Tew, GA, Posso, MC, Arundel, CE, McDaid, CM
Occupational medicine (Oxford, England). 2015;(5):357-66
Abstract
BACKGROUND Time spent sitting in the workplace is an important contributor to overall sedentary risk. Installation of height-adjustable workstations has been proposed as a feasible approach for reducing occupational sitting time in office workers. AIMS To provide an accurate overview of the controlled trials that have evaluated the effects of height-adjustable workstation interventions on workplace sitting time in office-based workers. METHODS A comprehensive search was conducted up until March 2014 in the following databases: Medline, PsychINFO, CENTRAL, EMBASE and PEDro. To identify unpublished studies and grey literature, the reference lists of relevant official or scientific web pages were also checked. Studies assessing the effectiveness of height-adjustable workstations using a randomized or non-randomized controlled design were included. RESULTS The initial search yielded a total of 8497 citations. After a thorough selection process, five studies were included with 172 participants. A formal quality assessment indicated that risk of bias was high in all studies and heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes prevented meta-analysis. Nevertheless, all studies reported that height-adjustable workstation interventions reduced occupational sitting time in office workers. There was insufficient evidence to determine effects on other relevant health outcomes (e.g. body composition, musculoskeletal symptoms, mental health). CONCLUSIONS There is insufficient evidence to make firm conclusions regarding the effects of installing height-adjustable workstations on sedentary behaviour and associated health outcomes in office workers. Larger and longer term controlled studies are needed, which include more representative populations.
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10.
Workplace interventions for reducing sitting at work.
Shrestha, N, Ijaz, S, Kukkonen-Harjula, KT, Kumar, S, Nwankwo, CP
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2015;:CD010912
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of people working whilst seated at a desk keeps increasing worldwide. As sitting increases, occupational physical strain declines at the same time. This has contributed to increases in cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes. Therefore, reducing and breaking up the time that people spend sitting while at work is important for health. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of workplace interventions to reduce sitting at work compared to no intervention or alternative interventions. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, OSH UPDATE, PsycINFO, Clinical trials.gov and the World Health Organization (WHO) search trial portal up to 14 February, 2014. We also searched reference lists of articles and contacted authors. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCT), cluster-randomised controlled trials (cRCTs), and quasi-randomised controlled trials of interventions to reduce sitting at work. For changes of workplace arrangements, we also included controlled before-and-after studies (CBAs) with a concurrent control group. The primary outcome was time spent sitting at work per day, either self-reported or objectively measured by means of an accelerometer coupled with an inclinometer. We considered energy expenditure, duration and number of sitting episodes lasting 30 minutes or more, work productivity and adverse events as secondary outcomes. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently screened titles, abstracts and full-text articles for study eligibility. Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. We contacted authors for additional data where required. MAIN RESULTS We included eight studies, four RCTs, three CBAs and one cRCT, with a total of 1125 participants. The studies evaluated physical workplace changes (three studies), policy changes (one study) and information and counselling (four studies). No studies investigated the effect of treadmill desks, stepping devices, periodic breaks or standing or walking meetings. All the studies were at high risk of bias. The quality of the evidence was very low to low. Half of the studies were from Australia and the other half from Europe, with none from low- or middle-income countries. Physical workplace changesWe found very low quality evidence that sit-stand desks with or without additional counselling reduced sitting time at work per workday at one week follow-up (MD -143 minutes (95% CI -184 to -102, one study, 31 participants) and at three months' follow-up (MD - 113 minutes, 95% CI -143 to -84, two studies, 61 participants) compared to no intervention. Total sitting time during the whole day decreased also with sit-stand desks compared to no intervention (MD -78 minutes, 95% CI -125 to -30, one study, 31 participants) as did the duration of sitting episodes lasting 30 minutes or more (MD -52 minutes, 95% CI -79 to -26, two studies, 74 participants). Sit-stand desks did not have a considerable effect on work performance and had an inconsistent effect on musculoskeletal symptoms and sick leave. Policy changesWalking strategies had no considerable effect on sitting at work (MD -16 minutes, 95% CI -54 to 23, one study, 179 participants, low quality evidence). Information and counsellingGuideline-based counselling by occupational physicians reduced sitting time at work (MD -28 minutes, 95% CI -54 to -2, one study, 396 participants, low quality evidence). There was no considerable effect on reduction in total sitting time during the whole day.Mindfulness training induced a non-significant reduction in workplace sitting time (MD -2 minutes, 95% CI -22 to 18) at six months' follow-up and at 12 months' follow-up (MD -16 minutes, 95% CI -45 to 12, one study, 257 participants, low quality evidence).There was an inconsistent effect of computer prompting on sitting time at work. One study found no considerable effect on sitting at work (MD -18 minutes, 95% CI -53 to 17, 28 participants, low quality evidence) at 10 days' follow-up, while another study reported a significant reduction in sitting at work (MD -55 minutes, 95% CI -96 to -14, 34 participants, low quality evidence) at 13 weeks' follow-up. Computer prompting software also led to a non-significant increase in energy expenditure at work (MD 278 calories/workday, 95% CI 0 to 556, one study, 34 participants, low quality evidence) at 13 weeks' follow-up. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS At present there is very low quality evidence that sit-stand desks can reduce sitting time at work, but the effects of policy changes and information and counselling are inconsistent. There is a need for high quality cluster-randomised trials to assess the effects of different types of interventions on objectively measured sitting time. There are many ongoing trials that might change these conclusions in the near future.