1. fitin14: A workforce physical activity and wellbeing survey in Dumfries and Galloway
Jenny Bruce & Chris Topping
Health Intelligence Unit
DG Health and Wellbeing
Dumfries and Galloway Council

2. Background
“Physical activity includes all forms of activity, such as everyday walking or cycling to get from A to B, active play, work-related activity, active recreation (such as working out in a gym), dancing, gardening or playing active games, as well as organised and competitive sport” (Start Active, Stay Active, 2011).
Physical activity benefits – the workplace
Physical activity guidelines CT

3. Rationale
No local or departmental level data using current physical activity guidelines
To consult with the local workforce
Identify gaps and opportunities
Calculate the cost of workplace physical inactivity
Produce evidenced based recommendations CT

4. Outcomes Determine: levels of physical activity
the correlation between
physical activity & sedentary behaviors
physical activity and sickness absence
physical activity & mental health and wellbeing

5. Methodology Working Group established Pilot
Self report survey (limitations)
Robust sample size (n = 2,596)
Council and NHS representation
Females made up over four-fifths (83%) of the responses with 17% from males. This was representative of the workforce with 19% of female staff and 20% of male staff responding.
Females made up nearly three-quarters (72%) of the responses with 28% from males. This was representative of the workforce with 25% of female staff and 27% of male staff responding.

6. Methodology Continued
Dumfries and Galloway Council
NHS Dumfries and Galloway
1,989 responses
867 responses
26% of workforce
20% of total workforce
72% female
28% male
83% female
17% male
43% aged years
36% aged years
Females made up over four-fifths (83%) of the responses with 17% from males. This was representative of the workforce with 19% of female staff and 20% of male staff responding.
Females made up nearly three-quarters (72%) of the responses with 28% from males. This was representative of the workforce with 25% of female staff and 27% of male staff responding.

7. Survey Questions JB

8. Results Dumfries and Galloway Council NHS Dumfries and Galloway
62% met weekly physical activity guidelines
Males more active than females*
Staff sitting for less time were more likely to meet guidelines
Staff meeting guidelines weekly was highest in those that were not off sick for any days in the preceding year (67%)
Staff meeting guidelines weekly was highest in those that were not off sick for any days in the preceding year (68%)
Wellbeing decline with reduced frequency of meeting guidelines*
* = Statistically significant finding

9. Council Staff Result – Physical Activity Levels by age and gender

10. Council Staff Result – Physical Activity Levels by age and gender

11. Council Staff Result – Physical Activity Levels by age and gender

12. Council Staff Result – Physical Activity Level by time spent sitting

13. Council Staff Result – Physical Activity Level by time spent sitting

14. Council Staff Result – Increased Physical activity
- 79% would like to be more active

15. Council Staff Result – Increased Physical activity
- 79% would like to be more active

16. NHS Staff Result – Physical Activity Level by Sickness Absence

17. NHS Staff Result – Physical Activity Level by WEMWBS Score

18. Cost Savings NHS = £479,458 - £587,717 Council = £455,321 - £682,123
An 5-10% increase in staff physical activity levels would deliver sickness absence reductions and employee satisfaction and retention with a quantifiable benefit of:
NHS = £479,458 - £587,717
Council = £455,321 - £682,123
NICE (2008)

19. Next steps Feedback to relevant stakeholders including staff
Collaborative approach to workforce activity
Establish recommendations
Deliver recommendations
Repeat survey – early 2015

20. Concluding Thoughts
Physical activity is one of the best things we can do for our health
Staff who are more active take less sick days, report better wellbeing and are less sedentary at work.
Local results are consistent with national data.
Increasing workforce physical activity delivers significant cost savings. CT