Workplace nutrition habits in Slovenian small and middle sized enterprises

• Published in: European journal of public health Vol. 30; no. Supplement_5
• Main Authors: Percic, S, Stubelj, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford Publishing Limited (England) 01.09.2020
• Subjects: Aging; Beverages; Chronic illnesses; Employers; Food consumption; Fruits; Habits; Health education; Internet; Intervention; Meals; Meat; Nutrition; Occupational health; Polls & surveys; Productivity; Public health; Quality of life; Questionnaires; Questions; Respondents; Restaurants; Vending machines; Workplaces; Slovenia
• ISSN: 1101-1262; 1464-360X
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.438

Abstract Background Premature death, chronic diseases, productivity loss and other social and economic concerns can be influenced by healthy lifestyle workplace promotion programs, including healthy nutrition habits. In Slovenia a project called >>STAR-VITAL-healthy ageing at workplace << has been going on since September 2017. Methods The survey results are based on an analysis of 805 respondents from 20 different small and middle sized enterprises in Slovenia. The survey was carried out via both a paper questionnaire and an online survey during the period from June 2019 to February 2020. The screening questionnaire was completed before interventions. We estimated the average score for the eight questions concerning nutritional habits. Results Nutritional habits are the following: 62% respondents eat three or more meals a day, 64% respondents eat vegetables each day, 59,8% respondents eat fruits each day, 31,9% respondents eat fish or see fruits at least once a week, 45,7% respondents eat whole wheats at least once a week, 54,1% respondents eat red meat not more than twice a week, 62,1% respondents eat fried food not more than three times a month and 79,1% respondents drink sweet drinks less than three times a week. The results on question >>What is the most common form of meal you eat while at work? << are the following: purchase meal at restaurant 45,3%, bring from home 32,7%, delivery/carry out 6,2%, do not eat 5,2%, other 4,7%, employer cafeteria 3,9% and vending machine 1,2%. Conclusions The results of our survey show that a significant percentage of the workers in Slovenia still has unhealthy nutritional habits. Assessment of nutritional habits before workplace promotion program interventions allow us to compare which combinations of interventions are the most effective. The results will indicate the strength and weakness of each intervention and how it could be improved. Key messages The population is growing old and chronic diseases increases, which is part of the bad nutritional habits. Healthy lifestile promotion is needed to improve quality of life. The workplace health promoting programs have been shown to be an efficient way of improving workerś health. Implementing promotional program of nutritional habits are proper for Slvenian enterprises.