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Transitioning to Working from Home Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Significantly Increased Sedentary Behavior and Decreased Physical Activity: A Meta-Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Nicole Chaudhary

    (Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Megan Jones

    (Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Sean P. M. Rice

    (Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239, USA
    School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University (OHSU-PSU), Portland, OR 97239, USA)

  • Laura Zeigen

    (Oregon Health & Science University Library, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR 97239, USA)

  • Saurabh Suhas Thosar

    (Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239, USA
    School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University (OHSU-PSU), Portland, OR 97239, USA
    School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR 97239, USA
    Knight Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR 97239, USA)

Abstract

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many workplaces transitioned to remote work, which altered lifestyle behaviors. We conducted a meta-analysis to understand if the transition to working from home due to the pandemic affected workers’ physical activity and sedentary behavior worldwide. We reviewed articles published between November 2019 and May 2022. Of an initial 3485 articles, a total of 17 were included, 15 of 17 were included for their physical activity (PA) comparisons ( n = 36,650), and 12 of 17 ( n = 57,254) were included for their sedentary behavior (SB) comparisons (10 studies have data for both PA and SB). This work is registered through PROSPERO (CRD42022356000). Working from home resulted in a significant decrease in PA (Hedge’s g = −0.29, 95% CI [−0.41, −0.18]) and an increase in SB (Hedge’s g = +0.36, 95% CI [0.20, 0.52]). Working from home impaired preventative activity behaviors, and these results are relevant to worker health as the future of work evolves beyond the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicole Chaudhary & Megan Jones & Sean P. M. Rice & Laura Zeigen & Saurabh Suhas Thosar, 2024. "Transitioning to Working from Home Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Significantly Increased Sedentary Behavior and Decreased Physical Activity: A Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:7:p:851-:d:1425262
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Julia L. O. Beckel & Gwenith G. Fisher, 2022. "Telework and Worker Health and Well-Being: A Review and Recommendations for Research and Practice," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-32, March.
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    3. Valerie Hervieux & Hans Ivers & Claude Fernet & Caroline Biron, 2022. "The Role of Job Control and Job Demands in Becoming Physically Active during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-12, February.
    4. Alexander Bick & Adam Blandin & Karel Mertens, 2023. "Work from Home before and after the COVID-19 Outbreak," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 15(4), pages 1-39, October.
    5. Cheryl A. Howe & Riley J. Corrigan & Fernanda Rocha de Faria & Zoe Johanni & Paul Chase & Angela R. Hillman, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Restrictions on Employment Status, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-13, November.
    6. Venerando Rapisarda & Carla Loreto & Laura De Angelis & Giuditta Simoncelli & Claudia Lombardo & Riccardo Resina & Nicola Mucci & Agata Matarazzo & Luigi Vimercati & Caterina Ledda, 2021. "Home Working and Physical Activity during SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-8, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ricardo Alonzo Fern'andez Salguero, 2025. "The Crisis Simulator for Bolivia (KISr-p): An Empirically Grounded Modeling Framework," Papers 2510.16537, arXiv.org.

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