Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two interventions, motivational signs and artwork, on stair use in a campus building. Methods: A longitudinal intervention study with no control group was designed to evaluate the effects of motivational signs and art murals on stair use in a six-story building. Sensors were installed in stairwells to monitor stair use. After a three week baseline period, two intervention periods (motivational signs and art murals, both three weeks in length) were utilized to encourage stair use. Weekly values for stair trips/day were calculated and expressed relative to estimated campus student enrollment and faculty and staff with offices in the building (means+SEM). Values were compared using ANOVA and post-hoc tests (p
Highlights
The prevalence of obesity is significantly increasing in the United States
The present study examines the effect of two consecutive interventions on stair usage in a campus building, motivational signs and creation of a modern art mural, with the primary target population being young adults
Study Design A longitudinal intervention study with no control group was designed to evaluate the effects of two consecutive interventions, motivational signs created by the CDC to encourage stair use (Kerr et al, 2004) and an aesthetic environmental change, on stair usage in a college campus building
Summary
The prevalence of obesity is significantly increasing in the United States. Recent evidence suggests that more than half of the adult population in the U.S is overweight or obese, with the percentages increasing significantly over the last 15 years (Ogden et al, 2006). Reduced physical activity contributes significantly to the risk of overweight and obesity in adolescents and adults in the U.S (Kruger & Kohl, 2007). An early study by Brownell et al (1980) observed that signs promoting the health benefits of taking the stairs resulted in a significant increase in stair use in a mall, a train station, and a bus terminal in Philadelphia. Additional studies (Andersen et al, 1998; Blamey, Mutrie, & Aitchison, 1995; Kerr et al, 2001; Webb & Eves, 2005) observed similar results in adult populations, suggesting that low cost signs or messages on stair risers that promote the benefits of taking the stairs may be an effective way to increase stair use and daily physical activity in adults. Motivational signs have been successful in promoting stair use in a Hispanic-American community (Coleman & Gonzalez, 2001), but have not been effective in promoting stair use in the nonEnglish speaking Hong Kong Chinese
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
