Understanding sedentary behaviour in office workers: a qualitative study using the COM-B model of behaviour

Abstract

Background: Prolonged sitting has been described as the ‘new smoking’ and this has resulted in public health recommendations for desk-based workers to break up sitting time. The aim of this study was to use the Capability Opportunity Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) framework to explore office workers’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators to reducing sitting time in the workplace Methods: Ten office-based workers (aged 26-55 years) were interviewed about their current sitting behaviour at work using the COM-B framework to identify participants’ capabilities, opportunities and motivation that influenced this behaviour. Data were analysed using framework analysis. Findings: In terms of capability, it emerged that participants were physically capable of reducing sitting and recognised the psychological benefits of breaking up sitting. However, it was evident that lack of knowledge and work pressure reduced psychological capability to change behaviour. The physical infrastructure offered both barriers (e.g., computers and phones ‘make me sit’) and opportunities to break up sitting (e.g., printer downstairs). Social opportunities were limited by the social norms to normally sit at work, but participants did identify that it was socially acceptable to break up sitting. Motivation for sitting was mainly influenced by automatic processes because participants reported sitting was a habit. Discussion: Sitting behaviour at work is influenced by a number of malleable factors, and future interventions could focus on addressing lack of knowledge, sitting habits and environmental changes to the office.