Effects of worksite health promotion interventions on employee diets: a systematic review

Abstract

BackgroundPublic health strategies place increasing emphasis on opportunities to promote healthy behaviours within the workplace setting. Previous research has suggested worksite health promotion programmes have positive effects on physical activity and weight loss, yet little is known regarding their effects on dietary behaviour. The aim of this review was to assess the effects of worksite interventions on employee diets.MethodsElectronic databases (MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, EMBASE, LexisNexis) were searched for relevant articles published between 1995 and April 2009. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were peer-reviewed English language publications describing a worksite-based health promotion intervention with minimum study duration of eight weeks. All study designs were eligible. Studies had to report one or more diet-related outcome (energy, fat, fruit, or vegetable intakes). Methodological quality was assessed using a checklist that included randomisation methods, use of a control group, and study attrition rates.ResultsSixteen studies were included in the review. Eight programmes focussed on employee education, and the remainder targeted change to the worksite environment, either alone or in combination with education. Study methodological quality was moderate. In general, worksite interventions led to positive changes in fruit, vegetable and total fat intake. However, reliance on self-reported methods of dietary assessment means there is a significant risk of bias. No study measured more robust outcomes such as absenteeism, productivity, or healthcare utilisation.ConclusionsThe findings of this review suggest that worksite health promotion programmes are associated with moderate improvement in dietary intake. The quality of studies to date has been frequently sub-optimal and further, well designed studies are needed in order to reliably determine effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Future programmes to improve employee dietary habits should move beyond individual education and aim to intervene at multiple levels of the worksite environment.

Impact of an intervention on the availability and consumption of fruits and vegetables in the workplace

“…FFQ are not sufficiently sensitive to assess small changes in quantity and in short periods of time (28) . In the present study, the consumption of fruits and vegetables in meals offered in companies was evaluated.…”

Effectiveness of a worksite lifestyle intervention on vitality, work engagement, productivity, and sick leave: results of a randomized controlled trial

“…The beneficial effects of WHP programs on health (28), aforementioned lifestyle behaviors (29,30), and workrelated outcomes, such as sick leave and productivity, have indeed been reported (31)(32)(33). Although evidence in lacking, positive effects on work engagement can also be expected as healthy and vital workers are more engaged in their job (34).…”

The Duke Employee Weight Loss Program: Report of a Duke Diet and Fitness Center Pilot Study

“…For example, one systematic review of worksite programs found that a large range of interventions (including those that were informational, those teaching behavioral skills, and those that targeted policy and environmental changes) all demonstrated a modest reduction in weight averaging 2.8 lbs at 12 months [10].…”

“…Indeed, such interventions have become more prevalent over the past decade [1,[5][6][7][8][9]. However, the literature reporting on these important programs is rife with methodological problems [10,11] that must be systematically addressed; outcomes for worksite interventions must be rigorously measured. A necessary first step in the process of conducting a large scale trial is to establish the feasibility of rigorously measuring outcomes in existing worksite weight loss programs.…”