Younger employees who have only ever worked from home are more likely to experience poor health compared to those who go into the workplace, latest research has revealed.
Academics from the University of Cambridge have found that employees working in the office get an extra 28 minutes of moderate physical activity per day compared to those working from home.
During the trial, the team of researchers analysed the health outcomes of adults aged between 16 and 30 who were involved in a national household survey.
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Each participant outlined their employment status every year and their typical physical activity routines every three years.
People in technical jobs, cleaners, hairdressers and waiters saw their physical activity levels rise.
Meanwhile, physical activity levels did not increase among younger adults going into managerial or professional occupations.
First author Dr Eleanor Winpenny said: “If we want to stay healthy throughout our lives, we need to remember that keeping active is an important way of helping us achieve this goal.
“Those working at home might want to consider incorporating physical activity into their day, for example by going for a walk before or after work, or during a lunch break.”
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Corresponding author Alena Oxenham said: “Beginning work can have a profound impact on our lifestyles and on behaviours that might make a difference to our health, if not immediately then later in life.
“Although we found that people tend to do more physical activity when they begin work, which is good news, these are averages, and some people – particularly those who work from home and, to a lesser degree, those with office-based jobs – may do less.”
The full study has been published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.
