Nutritional awareness in the construction industry

Abstract: Nutrition is linked with construction worker health, wellbeing and productivity improvements. Unhealthy eating may result in reduced immunity, increased proneness to developing chronic diseases, reduced concentration and alertness and reduced productivity. Improving the nutrition of construction workers is therefore of paramount concern. Although it is generally acknowledged that improving nutrition requires an understanding of the factors which influence construction workers‟ food choices, it has also been shown that the first step in achieving healthy eating is through increasing nutritional awareness and knowledge which will help in inculcating positive nutritional behaviour. The present paper therefore aims to highlight the state of nutritional knowledge among construction workers and possible ways of increasing nutritional awareness. A review of literature related to nutritional knowledge of workers, as well as health, safety and productivity of construction workers, was conducted. Sources included web- based journal and conference articles, magazines and reports. The distillation of literature through thematic analysis revealed that construction workers are aware of the benefits of nutrition in improving their health, safety and productivity, albeit it is seldom reflected in the food choices they make. The study also established that nutrition education programmes which target specific audiences and go beyond disseminating information to creating an enabling environment, ultimately beget long-term positive nutritional behaviours. The study concludes that increasing awareness of the importance of nutrition education and similar interventions could primarily improve construction workers‟ nutrition and in turn, health, safety, wellbeing and productivity. It is recommended that construction stakeholders view nutrition education as an integral aspect of health and safety training on sites. It should be mandatory for companies to have nutrition training sessions for employees on a continuous basis