A review of factors influencing construction workers’ nutritional uptake

Purpose: Nutrition is linked with construction worker health and safety (H&S) performance. Some accidents, injuries and in some cases, deaths on construction sites are direct or indirect results of physical and psychological distresses (chronic health conditions and mental instability) arising from poor nutrition of construction workers. This alarming situation could gravely affect construction workers, their families, the industry and the economy as a whole since health will be adversely affected, performance will be hindered, avoidable on-site exigencies, injuries and sometimes deaths will occur, resulting in lost working hours or days, lost wages, increased healthcare costs, and decline in productivity and Gross Domestic Product. This study therefore reviews the factors which influence the nutritional uptake amongst construction workers and possible interventions. Methods: This study is based on review of previous literature on the construction industry and its H&S performance, as well as factors influencing nutritional uptake and nutrition interventions in the construction industry. The literature review was based on both international and South African context. Findings: The study revealed that construction workers’ nutrition is influenced by personal factors and environmental factors. The study also established feasible nutrition interventions based on these factors. Nutrition promotion initiatives need to target the different influences on construction workers’ nutritional uptake. Value: The study highlights construction workers’ nutrition influencers and reveals feasible strategies to improve nutrition and thus safety performance on construction sites. Practical implications: Findings from this study will inform development and implementation of programmes and policies targeted towards nutritional uptake tailored for construction workers