OBESITY: IMPROVING ACCESS TO FACILITIES FOR EXERCISE AMONG FORMAL SECTOR EMPLOYEES IN KENYA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47672/ejhs.394Keywords:
Workplace, Wellness, Exercise, Gym, ObesityAbstract
Purpose: This systematic review addresses the challenges of lack of access to facilities for exercise among employees working in the formal sector in Kenya. It identifies the causes of the problem and summarizes the best available evidence of the most promising options to address the problem.
Methodology: A systematic approach was used in conducting literature review. The selection criteria for the papers were based on relevance of the paper and applicability to the context of study. At the initial stages, the investigations were limited to Pubmed and Hinari academic data bases for academic journals on the subject. When the databases did not yield adequate results, other search engines were used. Google and google scholar provided relevant articles. In order to get the best results which are relevant to the policy brief subject, terminologies and key words were used in the search. The following search terms were run in the two databases: ‘Workplace Obesity’, ‘Obesity and exercise at the workplace’, ‘Physical Activity in the Workplace’, Workplace and obesity’ and ‘workplace gyms’. A database was created in which the source of the literature identified and reference details of the search were stored. My search yielded 122 records of which 85 records remained after duplicates were removed. 60 records were screened and at the end 25 records were included in the final analysis.
Findings: Obesity can have a huge impact in workplaces because it affects employees’ productivity. Ultimately, it affects the organizations’ bottom-line. This policy brief acknowledges that both the employee and the employer have a role to play in promoting utilization and access to facilities for exercise at the workplace.
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Employees need to have sufficient knowledge about the benefits of engaging in physical. The employer needs to put policies and systems in place to promote access to facilities for exercise at the workplace. Such systems should include appointing Wellness coordinators and sensitizing the Human Resources personnel of their organizations about the advantages of having healthy employees.
Downloads
References
Abraham, C. & Graham-Rowe, E. (2009). Are worksite interventions effective in increasing physical activity? A systematic review and meta-analysis: Available from: http://hinarilogin.research4life.org/uniquesigwww.tandfonline.com/uniquesig0/doi/pdf/10.1080/17437190903151096 (Accessed 19/01/2015)
Anderson et al. (2009). The effectiveness of worksite nutrition and physical activity interventions for controlling employee overweight and obesity: a systematicreview.Availablefrom: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19765507/ (Accessed 06/01/2015)
Bahaudin, M. and Cavico, F. (2013). Corporate Wellness Programs: Implementation Challenges in the Modern American Workplace. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3937880/ (accessed on 24/03/2015)
Birdee, GS., Byrne DW., McGown PW., Rothman RL., Rolando LA., Holmes MC, Yarbrough, MI. (2013). Relationship between physical inactivity and health characteristics among participants in an employee-wellness program. Available from; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23618884 (accessed on 24/03/2015
Blackford, K Jancey., J, Howat., P, Ledger, M and Lee. (2012) Office-Based Physical Activity and Nutrition Intervention: Barriers, Enablers, and Preferred Strategies for WorkplaceObesity.Available from; http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2013/13_0029.htm. (Accessed 12/01/2015)
Business Dictionary. (2015). Formal Sector. Available from; http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/formal-sector.html (Accessed 28/05/2015)
Busum KV., Mattke S. (2013). Financial incentives: only one piece of the workplace wellness puzzle comment on "corporate wellness programs: implementation challenges in the modern american workplace". Available from; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24596890 (Accessed 29/03/2015)
CDC. (2011). Physical Activity for a Healthy Weight. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/physical_activity/index.html?s_cid=govD_dnpao_006 (Accessed 28/11/2014)
CDC. (2013). Workplace Health Promotion. Available From:
Christensen, D, Eis, J, Hansen, A, Larsson, M, Mwaniki, D, Kilonzo, B, Tetens, I, Boit, M, Kaduka, L, Johnsen, K, & Friis, H. (2008). Obesity and regional fat distribution in Kenyan populations: Impact of ethnicity and urbanization. Annals of Human Biology, March–April 2008; 35(2): 232–249
Cook, S. (2013). Fighting Non-Communicable Diseases in Kenya: Why Food Policy Remains Untried. Masters Thesis. Available from: http://rudar.ruc.dk/bitstream/1800/12826/1/Thesis%20-%20Summer%20Cook.pdf (Accessed 29/11/2014)
Curry, R. (2012). Workplace Physical Activity: A Review of Literature Examining Policy and Environmental Approaches. Available from: http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/79F8F671- B240-4B9F-99EB-3DE3901D58BD/0/Literature_review_FINAL.pdf (Accessed 06/01/2015)
Dalrymple, J. (2012). Office Gyms: The Benefits, The Legalities. Available from: http://www.lynchburgbusinessmag.com/office-gyms-the-benefits-the-legalities/ (Accessed 07/07/2015)
Devaux, Marion , et al. (2011). “Exploring the Relationship Between Education and Obesity”, OECD Journal: Economic Studies, Vol.2011/1.Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/eco_studies-2011-5kg5825v1k23 (accessed 28/11/2014)
Dickson-Swift , V., Fox, C., Marshall, K., Welch, N., Willis, J. (2014). "What really improves employee health and wellbeing: Findings from regional Australian workplaces", International Journal of Workplace Health Management, Vol. 7 Iss: 3, pp.138 – 155
Dodson, E., Lovegreen, S., Elliott, M., Haire-Joshu, D., and Brownson, R. (2008). Worksite Policies and Environments Supporting Physical Activity in Midwestern Communities. Available from; http://hinarilogin.research4life.org/uniquesigwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/uniquesig0/pmc/articles/PMC3973737/ (Accessed 27/03/2015)
Duque-Páramo, M. (2003). Biomedical and Sociocultural Factors in Obesity in Children. University of South Florida. Available from:
Geoffrey, S. & Kim, M. (2015). Journal article writing International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Project Management. Vol. 1.Issue 1(1). pp 1-13
Goetzel, R., Roemer, E., Liss-Levinson, R., Samoly, D. (2008). Workplace Health Promotion: Policy Recommendations that Encourage Employers to Support Health Improvement Programs for their Workers. Partnership for Prevention. Available from: https://www.prevent.org/data/files/initiatives/workplacehealtpromotion- policyrecommendations.pdf (Accessed 20/01/2015)
Hannon, P., Garson, G., Harris, J., Hammerback, K., Sopher, C., and Clegg-Thorp, C. (2012). Workplace Health Promotion Implementation, Readiness, and Capacity Among Mid-Sized Employers in Low-Wage Industries: A National Survey. From; http://hinarilogin.research4life.org/uniquesigwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/uniquesig0/pmc/articles/PMC3493879/ (Accessed 30/03/2015)
Harvard. (2014). Worksite Obesity Prevention Recommendations: Complete List (Online). Available From: Http://Www.Hsph.Harvard.Edu/Obesity-Prevention-Source/Obesity-Prevention/Worksites/Worksites-Obesity-Prevention-Recommendations-Complete-List/ (Accessed 18/11/2014)
Heinen, L., and Darling, H. (2009). Addressing obesity in the workplace: the role of employers.Availablefrom: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2879173/ (Accessed on 05/01/2015)
Hill, J. O. , Wyatt, H. R. , and Peters, J. C. (2013). Energy Balance and Obesity. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3401553/ (Accessed 21/11/2014)
Hochschild, A. (2012). The Time Bind. Available from; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1743-4580.1997.tb00019.x/abstract (Accessed 01/05/2015)
http://www.academia.edu/467163/Biomedical_and_sociocultural_factors_in_obesity_in_children (Accessed 7/01/2014)
http://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/implementation/topics/physical-activity.html (Accessed 10/04/2015)
Ibrahim et al. (2013). Perceived physical activity barriers related to body weight status and sociodemographic factors among Malaysian men in Klang Valley. BMC Public Health. Available from; http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/13/275 (accessed on 22/03/2015)
Kaduka, L., Kombe, Y., Kenya, E., Kuria, E., Bore, J., Bukania, Z, Mwangi, M. (2012). Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome Among an Urban Population in Kenya. Available from; http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/35/4/887.short (Accessed 5/04/2015)
Karen Van Nuys., Denise Globe., Daisy Ng-Mak., Hoiwan Cheung., Jeff Sullivan, Dana Goldman. The Association Between Employee Obesity and Employer Costs: Evidence From a Panel of U.S. Employers. American Journal of Health Promotion, 2014; 28 (5): 277 DOI: 10.4278/ajhp.120905-QUAN-428 Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and ICF Macro: Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2008–09. Calverton, Maryland: KNBS and ICF Macro; 2010.
KIM. (2014). Office Obesity. Available from: http://www.kim.ac.ke/management-magazine/article/1364909965/office-obesity-unmasked (Accessed 29/11/2014)
Kyrou, I, Randeva, Hs, Weickert. (2014). Clinical Problems Caused By Obesity. Available From; http://hinarilogin.research4life.org/uniquesigstatic.pubmed.gov/uniquesig0/pubmed/25905207 (ACCESSED 29/04/2015)
Leigh, M. (2015). Demand Media: Perils of Workout Equipment in the Workplace. Available from: http://work.chron.com/perils-workout-equipment-workplace-15876.html (Accessed 23/03/2015)
Leslie JH., Braun KL., Novotny R., Mokuau N. (2013). Factors affecting healthy eating and physical activity behaviors among multiethnic blue- and white-collar workers: a case study of one healthcare institution. Available from: http://hinarilogin.research4life.org/uniquesigwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/uniquesig0/pubmed/?term=Leslie+JH%2C+Braun+KL%2C+Novotny+R%2C+Mokuau+N (Accessed 1/05/2015)
Lovell, G., Ansari, W., Parker, J. (2010). Perceived Exercise Benefits and Barriers of Non-Exercising Female University Students in the United Kingdom. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2872307/ (Accessed 29/04/2015)
Marshall, L. (2004). Challenges and opportunities for promoting physical activity in the workplace. Available from; http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1440244004802792 (Accessed 25/03/2015)
Mattke, S., Schnyer, C., Busum, K. (2012) A Review of the U.S. Workplace Wellness Market.Availablefrom; http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/workplacewellnessmarketreview2012.pdf (Accessed 01/05/15).
Mbochi, R, Kuria, E, Kimiywe, J, Ochola, S And Steyn, P. (2012) Predictors Of Overweight And Obesity In Adult Women In Nairobi Province, Kenya. Available From: Http://Www.Biomedcentral.Com/1471-2458/12/823 (Accessed 29/11/2014)
McNeill, L., Stoddard, A., Bennett, G., Wolin, K., and Sorensen, G. (2012). Influence of individual and social contextual factors on changes in leisure-time physical activity in working-class populations: results of the Healthy Directions–Small Businesses Study. Available from; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3652385/ (accessed 26/2015)
Meda L. (2013) Assessing factors influencing university students to uptake voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) of human immune deficiency virus/acquired immune deficiencysyndrome(HIV/AIDS).Availablefrom: http://www.academicjournals.org/article/article1379689045_Meda.pdf (Accessed 28 January 2015)
Mitchell MS., Goodman JM., Alter DA., John LK., Oh PI., Pakosh MT., Faulkner GE. (2013). Financial incentives for exercise adherence in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis.Availablefrom; http://hinarilogin.research4life.org/uniquesigwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/uniquesig0/pubmed/24139781 (Accessed on 19/03/2015)
Morgan, L. (2015). Perils of Workout Equipment in the Workplace. Demand Media. Available from; http://work.chron.com/perils-workout-equipment-workplace-15876.html (Accessed on 21/03/2015)
Mujtaba, B., and Cavico, F. (2013). Corporate Wellness Programs: Implementation Challenges in the Modern American Workplace. Available from; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3937880/ (Accessed on 18/03/2015)
Nelson, C., Wagner, G., Caban-Martinez, A., Buxton, O., Kenwood, C., Sabbath, E., Hashimoto, D., Hopcia, K., Allen, J., and Sorensen, G,. (2014). Physical Activity and Body Mass Index:The Contribution of Age and Workplace Characteristics. Available from; http://hinarilogin.research4life.org/uniquesigwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/uniquesig0/pmc/articles/PMC4007484/ (accessed 29/03/2015)
Neuroanth. (2011). The Anthropology Of Obesity. Available From: Http://Blogs.Plos.Org/Neuroanthropology/2011/04/12/The-Anthropology-Of-Obesity/ (Accessed 05/11/2014)
Newman, L., Stinson, K., Metcalf, D., Fang, H., Brockbank, C., Jinnett, K., Reynolds, S., Trotter, M., Witter, R., ,Atherly, A., and Goetzel, R. (2015). Implementation of a Worksite Wellness Program Targeting Small Businesses:The Pinnacol Assurance Health Risk Management Study. Available from; http://hinarilogin.research4life.org/uniquesigwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/uniquesig0/pmc/articles/PMC4274320/ (Accessed 21/03/2015)
Oberlinner C., Lang S., Germann C., Trauth B., Eberle F., Pluto R., Neumann S., Zober A. (2007). Prevention of overweight and obesity in the workplace. BASF-health promotion campaign "trim down the pounds--losing weight without losing your mind". Accessed from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17701837 (Accessed 06/01/2015)
Ojiambo, R. (2015). Are Lifestyle Shifts Fuelling The Obesity Epidemic In Urbanised Africans?AvailableFrom; Http://Hinarilogin.Research4life.Org/Uniquesigstatic.Pubmed.Gov/Uniquesig0/Pubmed/25921431 (Accessed 30/04/2015)
Overseas Development Institute (ODI). (2014). Future diets: Implications for agriculture and food prices. Available from: http://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/8776.pdf (Accessed 20/11/2014)
Pollack, K. and Cheskin, L. (2007). Obesity and workplace traumatic injury: does the science support the link? Available from; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2610625/ (Accessed 23/04/2015)
Prevention, Perth, Western Australia, 2012. Available from; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3775360/ (Accessed 20/04/2015)
Pridham, S. (2002). Workplace Fitness Facilities: a popular amenity with a healthy payback. Available from: http://www2.trifit.com/articles/OfficeLifeArticle.pdf (Accessed 7/01/2015)
Summer, C. (2013). Fighting Non-Communicable Diseases in Kenya: Why Food Policy Remains Untried. Available from; http://www.rucsdigitaleprojektbibliotek.dk/handle/1800/12826 (Accessed (30/04/2015)
Tate DF., Wing RR., Winett RA. (2001). Using Internet technology to deliver a behavioral weightlossprogram.Availablefrom: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11231746/ (Accessed 06/01/2015)
Tatiana Andreyeva., Joerg Luedicke, Y. Claire Wang. State-Level Estimates of Obesity-Attributable Costs of Absenteeism. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2014; 56 (11): 1120 DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000298The Standard Newspaper. (2011) Half of Kenya’s women obese, medics warn. Availablefrom: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000041353&pageNo=1. (Accessed 23/07/2013)
The Bailey Group. (2014). Addressing Obesity through Your Workplace Wellness Program. Available from: https://www.mbaileygroup.com/blog/workplace-wellness/addressing-obesity- workplace-wellness-program/ (Accessed 03/10/2015)
The Cochrane Library. (2014). About Cochrane Systematic Reviews and Protocols. Available From: http://www.thecochranelibrary.com/view/0/AboutCochraneSystematicReviews.html (Accessed 18/01/2015)
Thorndike, A. (2011). Workplace Interventions to Reduce Obesity and Cardiometabolic Risk.Availablefrom:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3374841/#R23 (Accessed 05/01/2015)
Voa. (2009). Western-Style Diet Brings New Health Problems To Kenya. Available From: Http://Www.Voanews.Com/Content/Western-Style-Diet-Brings-New-Health-Problems-To-Kenya-79929152/416643.Html (Accessed 29/11/2014)
Walraven, G. (2011). Health and Poverty: Global Health Problems and Solutions. London: Earthscan
WHO. (2013). Obesity and Overweight (Online). Who. Available From: Http://Www.Who.Int/Mediacentre/Factsheets/Fs311/En/ (Accessed 20/07/2013)
WHO. (2014). Global Health Observatory (GHO) Obesity. Available from: http://www.who.int/gho/ncd/risk_factors/obesity_text/en/ (Accessed 20/11/2014)
World Economic Forum. (2008). Working towards Wellness: Global Example
World Health Organization. (Who). (2013) Non Communicable Diseases (Online). Http://Www.Who.Int/Mediacentre/Factsheets/Fs355/En/ Who. Available From: (Accessed 16/10/2014)
Zimmet P, and Alberti, G. (2012). Introduction: Globalization and the Non-communicable DiseaseEpidemic.Availablefrom; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1038/oby.2006.1/full (Accessed 20/04/2015)
Ziraba, A, Fotso, J and Ochako, R. (2009). Overweight and obesity in urban Africa: A problem of the rich or the poor? Available from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/9/465 (Accessed 29/11/2014)
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work’s authorship and initial publication in this journal.
