NUTRITION IN THE WORKPLACE
WHY NUTRITION HITS HOME AT THE WORKPLACE
BY : COLLEEN HYDE , MS , CWPM , WELLNESS COORDINATOR , A . I . M . MUTUAL
Colleen Hyde
Colleen is Wellness Coordinator for A . I . M . Mutual . She has more than ten years of health and wellness experience in both private and nonprofit industries , including serving as the on-site nutritionist and Health & Wellness Specialist at General Electric in Lynn , Massachusetts . A certified Whole Health Nutrition Educator , she holds a BS degree in Fitness / Wellness from Salem State University and a Master ’ s in Applied Nutrition from Northeastern University .
WHY SHOULD employers be concerned about their employees ’ dietary habits ? Consider the rate of adult obesity and its impact on the workplace .
In a recent study , the Journal of the American Medical Association reports the occurrence of adult obesity in the United States was 33.5 percent among men and 36.1 percent among women . 1 Poor dietary habits are linked to numerous chronic diseases , among them heart disease , stroke , high blood pressure , Type 2 Diabetes , and various cancers . 2
These health concerns can be a direct and indirect cost for employers . Overweight and obese individuals generally use more health care , are less productive at work , and miss work more often , studies now show .
Worksites are often overlooked as a crucial setting for prompting dietary habits . The average full-time employee spends forty-seven hours a week at work , according to a 2014 national Gallop poll . Employers have the opportunity to influence a significant number of employees regarding nutrition while offering healthy dietary options .
Beginning the journey toward developing healthier eating habits , for many , is overwhelming . Here ’ s how employers can help : Build Awareness Start by creating a culture of health at the
workplace . Build employee awareness and focus education efforts on incorporating healthier eating habits . Company leadership must be involved in order to be successful .
Keep in mind there ’ s confusion about what constitutes healthy eating . Mixed messages and unhealthy food choices offered at the workplace can be barriers to dietary changes . Promote fruits and vegetables , whole grains , and healthy proteins , such as fish , chicken , beans , and nuts in your nutrition education campaigns . In addition , take advantage of these three proven wellness strategies :
# 1 Promote Healthy Eating
• Use bulletin boards , flyers , and posters throughout the office to promote healthy eating and healthy lifestyle changes . Various resources are available on request for A . I . M . Mutual policyholders .
• Share healthy eating tips in internal newsletters and employee emails ( Figure 1 ).
• Create a designated wellness nook that provides take-home resources on healthy eating behaviors .
# 2 Develop Skills
• Provide employees access to onsite Lunch & Learn sessions . Invite a nutritionist or registered dietician to discuss basic nutrition and how to read food labels , for example .
• Send out employee surveys to elicit feedback on topics of interest . Supply self-assessment tools that employees can use to track eating habits .
• Offer incentive programs by subsidizing gym memberships and weight loss programs , such as Weight Watchers .
# 3 Establish a Healthy Eating Policy and a Supportive Work Environment
• Take a visual scan of the current workplace environment to decide which wellness initiatives will work best .
• Establish a healthy eating policy for the worksite that provides healthy food options in vending machines , cafeterias , and at meetings .
• Provide on-site refrigerators and microwaves for the storing and preparing of nutritious meals and snacks .
• Ask managers and supervisors to send reminders periodically , encouraging employees to attend nutrition sessions .
Growing research shows employers can make a real difference in their employees ’ eating habits . The right tools and resources at work can help employees make educated and positive dietary changes , resulting in long-term health benefits .
Figure 1 - Healthy Eating At Work ( Source : Dieticians of Canada ) Situation Try To Limit Try Instead
Meetings
Vending Machines / Trucks
Hectic / Long Hours
On The Road / Lunch
Donuts , large muffins , cookies , cream & sugar Danish , Chocolate bars , french fries , soda , chips Chips , cookies , coffee with cream , hot dogs , pizza Chips , fried foods , large burgers , salads loaded w / dressings
8
Small muffins , low fat yogurt , english muffins , fresh fruit Juices / water , low salt pretzels , sandwiches , milk Fresh fruit , english muffins , raw vegetables , lean sliced meats Small burgers , whole grain bagels , cereal bars , whole grain crackers
Citations
1 . Ogden CL , Carroll MD , Kit BK , Flegal KM . “ Prevalence of Childhood and Adult Obesity in the United States ,” 2011- 2012 . JAMA . 2014 ; 311 ( 8 ): 806 – 814 . doi : 10.1001 / jama . 2014.732 . 2 . US Department of Agriculture and US Department of Health and Human Services . Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 . 7th Edition , Washington , DC : US Government Printing Office , December 2010 .