Implementation of a worksite educational program focused on promoting healthy eating habits

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the effectiveness of a short-term educational-counseling worksite program focused on lipid intake, by monitoring the possible change on nutrition knowledge and eating habits. Methods: an 8-week educational program based on the Health Belief Model was implemented in a honey packaging and sales company in Greece. 20 out of the 29 employees initially enrolled completed the program. Knowledge level and eating habits were evaluated prior and after the intervention by the “Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire” and the “Food Habits Questionnaire”. ANOVA, Spearman rho test and paired Wilcoxon test were employed in statistical analysis. Results: Non smokers and those with higher educational level had healthier eating habits. Knowledge following the intervention was significantly improved concerning recommendations and basic food ingredients but as far as eating habits were concerned, scores were not improved significantly, while intake of fried food was increased. Conclusions and Implications: Short-term interventions may produce substantial improvement in knowledge but not necessarily modifications in unhealthy eating habits.

The role of body mass index, healthy eating-related apps and educational activities on eating motives and behaviours among women during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross sectional study

“…Importantly in this context, in recent times, there has been a fundamental increase in the availability of health apps [ 48 – 50 ], and research into their use has shown that the most popular health apps are precisely those that provide information about nutrition and weight loss [ 51 – 53 ]. Moreover, as previous studies show [ 14 – 16 , 18 , 22 – 25 , 54 ], the use of healthy eating related-apps and training programs may be a protective factor against the development of unhealthy eating behaviours. Therefore, it is worth checking whether their action will be a protective factor during COVID-19.…”

“…These apps, as well as various training programmes and interventions (e.g. Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training [ 62 ], program based on the Health Beliefs Model [ 18 ]), promote healthy eating and weight loss, which also prevents obesity [ 60 , 63 , 64 ]. Moreover, validation studies to confirm the accuracy of diet and nutrition measurements that are obtained using the app have been found to be good [ 61 ].…”

Horticultural therapy, nutrition and post-traumatic stress disorder in post-military veterans: developing non-pharmaceutical interventions to complement existing therapeutic approaches

“…Good brain health is therefore highly dependent upon good nutrition and the absorption of nutrients in the body that can cross the BBB, together with a reduction of exposure to stressful environments. Growing and eating nutritious food can therefore aid in developing awareness of the importance of good nutrition for both physical and mental health ( Tanagra et al , 2013 ).…”

“… LaChance & Ramsey (2018) , in a systematic review of the literature on a nutrient profiling system for depression, found that people who were deficient in Omega 3, Zinc, Magnesium, B vitamins, Vitamin C and A, and Selenium and Potassium were more likely to experience mental health problems. Horticultural therapy offers the opportunity to grow fresh, nutrient-rich food, and to control the amount of chemicals added, while at the same time develop individual knowledge about nutrition ( Tanagra et al , 2013 ). In addition, fresh, home-grown food will contain more nutrients than food that has spent a long time in transportation.…”

“…Instead of working in confined environments, the participants will be invited to join a small farm, Ty Gwalia, in the open countryside with gardens and greenhouses, and will aid in improving the re-integration and development of relationships through the execution of horticultural tasks, cooking together and other outdoor activities ( Detweiler et al , 2015 ; Reisman, 2016 ). For those veterans making the transition to a civilian identity, the combination of directed physical work and the need to work as a team with others, provide a route back into civilian life and improve confidence, self-esteem and personalised wellbeing ( Hall et al , 2020 ; Tanagra et al , 2013 ). In addition, providing nutrition advice will also improve outcomes in physical and mental wellbeing, and help veterans to reduce the effects of stress and physical health problems ( Detweiler et al , 2015 ).…”