Applying

Socio-ecological Model to Health

Applying the Socio-ecological Model to Health
Chelsea Whitfield
University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Applying Socio-ecological Model to Health

One of the goals included within Healthy People 2020 is to increase the proportion

of adults who engage in aerobic physical activity. The goal is to achieve at least moderate
intensity for at least 150 minutes/week, or 75 minutes/week of vigorous intensity, or an
equivalent combination. The health risk appraisals completed by the employees of
Overstock.com show that only about 22 percent of employees have met this goal. The
company of Overstock values the overall health of the employees and believes that physical
activity will be the most beneficial approach to improving employee health. The socio-
ecological model can be used to present an analysis of the current health status of
Overstock employees. Through the use of this model, it can help to identify some of the
leading factors that may explain the current physical activity of the employees. Finally,
using the factors associated with the model, an intervention will be developed to present to
the CEO of Overstock.com that will be aimed to make a difference in the level of leisure time
physical activity of the employees.

Cottrell (2012) states that, Levels of influence are at the heart of the socio-

ecological approach (p. 102). Intrapersonal factors are an individuals knowledge,

attitudes, skills, behavioral control, and intentions. Currently, at the intrapersonal level,
some employees may already want to incorporate more leisure time physical activity and
some may not be interested at all. Common behavioral components that prevent people
from being physically active include lack of self-efficacy to engage in an exercise activity,
lack of enjoyment or no motivation, and feeling too tired to exercise. Studies have shown
that the odds of achieving recommended levels of walking were 48 percent higher among
those with perceived behavioral control, and the odds were nearly twice as high for those
highly intent on being active within the next two weeks (Higgins, Naylor, Rickert 2006).

Applying Socio-ecological Model to Health

Determining ways to make physical activity important to the employees of Overstock.com

could be the key in increasing employee physical activity percentages.

Interpersonal factors coincide with intrapersonal factors in that behaviors about

physical activity can be shifted according to social support from family, friends, collegues,
and cultural and social norms. Increasing the importance of exercise within the workplace
can encourage those who do not regularly exaercise to realize the importance to do so.
Creating peer groups within the company may help to increase the importance of physical
activity and create accountability. Individuals are more likely to begin and maintain
physical activity programs when they perceive that the activity is beneficial, enjoyable, and
leads to increased competance in a valued outcome. Interpersonal relationships can create
confidence and self-efficacy for exercise and health. Along with that, social support and
social networks are important in creating health enhancing environments (Higgins, Naylor,
Rickert 2006).

The absence of set lunch periods within the workday are policy factors that may

currently limit employee physical activity. If employees do not have a specific time that is
deemed a lunch hour, employees may be more likely to remain at their desks and work
while eating lunch. Requiring employees to take a lunch hour where they must leave their
work area may help to decrease the sedentary behavior and increase productivity.
An intervention for employees at Overstock.com that could increase physical
activity should to be multifaceted. This could involve forming a work environment that
creates importance around these factors in order to increase the physical activity of
Overstock employees. The intervention could begin by hiring a task force of health
educators and health coaches who can design programs for the community of employees.
This would allow the overall needs of the employees to be met by creating a beneficial

Applying Socio-ecological Model to Health

worksite health program catered specifically for the needs of Overstock employees. The
health educators could work with the head of each department in order to form peer
building groups. These groups could help to create a sense of accountability on a smaller
scale within each department.
Next, the company might benefit from recommending 30 minutes to 1 hour of non-
work related activity per day. During this time, the employees would be encouraged to
step away from their desks and participate in physical activity. Dr. Antronette (Toni)
Yancey pioneered the concept of Instant Recess. It is incorporating exercise into small
bursts of activity that can be done at anytime and anyplace, such as the workplace. Within
the departmental peer groups, employees could voluntarily participate in Instant Recess
during lunch and a few times throughout the day. Dr. Yancey stated, when leaders in the
organization participate, it creates low-pressure opportunity to build relationships with
the team, enhancing engagement. I was fortunate enough to meet Dr. Yancey prior to her
passing and participate in several Instant Recess activities during an office meeting.
Instant Recess helped to break up the monontney of the meetings and work day and
allowed everyone to have fun while doing simple exercises together.

Overall, Overstock employees would benefit from a multifaceted intervention in

order to increase employee physical activity percetages. An analysis of the current physical
activity of employees reflect that the levels of influence from a socio-ecological perspective
are intrapersonal, interpersonal, and policy factors. An intervention that would increase
leisure time physical activity among Overstock employees would include health educators,
health coaching, peer building groups within departments, and recommended lunch hours
away from the desk along with Instant Recess.

Applying Socio-ecological Model to Health

References
Cottrell, R., Girvan, J., & McKenzie, J. (2012). Theories and Planning Models In Principles and
Foundations of Health Promotion and Education (5th ed., p. 102). San Francisco, CA:
Pearson.
Higgins, J., Naylor, P., & Rickert, T. (2006). The Determinates of Physical Activity: Why Are
Some People Active and Others Not?, Weight Loss, Exercise, and Health Research (pp.
106-119). Retrieved from http://uncg.worldcat.org/title/weight-loss-exercise-and-
health-rsearch/oclc/64589071/viewport
Yancey, T. (2013, January 1). Sparking a Movement to Energize America. Retrieved
November 23, 2014, from http://www.toniyancey.com/IR_About.html