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FOOD AND ACTIVITY ENVIRONMENTS ENACT STRATEGY: Take the Stairs An easy way to add more physical activity into your day is to take the stairs. Healthcare environments can increase the amount of physical activity that employees and visitors get in their day by encouraging stair use. Transforming an uninviting stairwell into one that is welcoming can be accomplished through simple changes as well as more in-depth solutions. Implementation of even the simplest changes can increase physical activity and create an atmosphere that supports healthy behavior.
Guide to Community Preventive Services The guide issued an information page (PDF) recommending the use of point-of-decision prompts to encourage stair use. Health Department Staff Promote Stairwell Use (PDF) This article describes the successful effort to encourage stair use in a North Carolina health department. The Community Change Chronicles is a newsletter distributed by Eat Smart, Move More… North Carolina. Health At Work (PDF) This offers advice and support to improve food and activity environments for various organizations in Scotland. This tool is a guide for increasing physical activity in the workplace through policy writing and implementation. This report compiled by the California 5 A Day Worksite Program identifies the best ways to increase fresh fruit and vegetable intake and activity in the workplace as well as other strategies to improve workplace wellness. A Canadian partnership promoting programs that make stair use a “fun and easy way to get employees active in the workplace,” Stairway to Health has an interactive Website which includes links to education, tools, success stories and more. The Heart Foundation’s Climb to the Top Climb to the Top encourages participants to incorporate more physical activity throughout the day. “It challenges individuals and teams of up to 10 to climb the equivalent of Mt. Everest during July by using the stairs or walking.” Environmental Changes Increase Stair Use This study found that physical improvements to a stairwell, motivational signage to encourage taking the stairs, and music in the stairwell may increase stair use among building occupants.
Environmental and Policy Interventions to Promote Physical Activity This review finds that signs encouraging stair use can be an effective strategy to increase physical activity.
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