Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior of Thammasat University Hospital Staff

Abstract

Background: Insufficient physical activity and sedentary behaviors, such as prolonged sitting, are important risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly abdominal obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Hospital personnel, as healthcare providers, are expected to serve as role models for healthy behaviors to enhance institutional credibility and encourage the public to prioritize health promotion.
Objectives: To study and compare physical activity and sedentary behaviors among personnel at Thammasat University Hospital, classified by sex, age, and marital status.
Methodology: This cross-sectional survey included 364 participants selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Descriptive statistics, including the mean, standard deviation, and percentage, were applied. Inferential statistics consisted of t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Scheffe’s post hoc test, with a significance level set at 0.05.
Results: The majority of personnel had a low overall level of physical activity (82.42%). Work-related physical activity was at a moderate level (51.92%), while travel-related and recreational activities were at low levels (60.99% and 69.23%, respectively). Regarding sedentary behavior, 42.86% of the participants reported sitting continuously for more than two hours on some days. No statistically significant differences were found in physical activity and sedentary behavior according to sex and marital status. However, age was significantly associated with work-related physical activity, with differences observed between personnel aged 20–30 years and 30–40 years, and between 30–40 years and 40–50 years (p < 0.05, Scheffe’s test).
Conclusion: Most hospital personnel had low levels of physical activity, particularly in the travel-related and recreational domains, and engaged in sedentary behaviors, such as prolonged sitting. Health promotion strategies should focus on encouraging physical activity during work hours and implementing workplace health programs to strengthen the role of healthcare workers as models of healthy living.