Are workplaces an appropriate setting for nutrition promotion? : a systematic review

Workplaces provide a platform for environmental and individual level change to support individuals' health and behaviour change. This review evaluates the effectiveness of workplace nutrition promotion to change dietary and anthropometric outcomes. Five online databases were searched from January 1972 to December 2012 using terms related to workplace, diet and anthropometry. Inclusion criteria were: randomised controlled trial; intervention included a dietary component and dietary outcome; workplace setting; minimum one month duration; and neutral or positive methodologic quality assessed using a comprehensive tool. Forty-three publications (representing 37 studies) met criteria with 11 of positive quality. Positive effects at the individual level were reported for fruit and vegetable intake when measured together and saturated fat intake. Treatment effects for fruit and vegetables measured separately, fibre, energy intake, weight and body mass index were inconclusive. No evidence for reductions in total fat, added sugar related outcomes, waist circumference and body fat was found to be associated with workplace interventions. Nutrition promotion demonstrated effectiveness for fruit and vegetables and saturated fat intake but does not appear successful for weight management. As the majority of studies were conducted in the USA (27 of 37 studies) applicability to the other populations needs to be determined. None of the authors have conflicting interests or funding to declare