This article was written by University of Canberra Bachelor of Human Nutrition intern Zoe Strzelczykowski, under supervision by Dietitian Sian Hopkins

On average, full-time employees consume at least one meal and at least two snacks a day in the workplace. For someone eating three square meals per day, this would equate to over half of their dietary intake.1,2 Given the numerous health benefits of consuming a healthy diet, it is important to ensure that employees are able eat healthy balanced diets within the workplace.3

But, did you know that good nutrition not only affects the health of individual employees, but it can also have benefits for the workplace as well?

For example, proper nutrition:

  • Has the potential to decrease absenteeism and increase productivity4,5
  • Boosts energy levels and morale4,5
  • Is linked with better physical and mental health outcomes4,5,6
  • Is a factor in reducing compensation claims5
  • Can be used as a tool for promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity6

For these reasons, many employers are keen to promote healthy eating within the workplace. You can find out more about promoting a healthy eating environment here.3 However, it is important that healthy eating programs or activities within the workplace protect the mental health of employees as well as their physical health. For example, some health promotion activities can increase the risk of:5-8

  • Reduced morale
  • Weight stigma
  • Weight discrimination and weight cycling
  • Negative attitudes and/or exclusion of individuals who do not fit societal ideal standards of body shape or size
  • Inadequate nutrition by discouraging foods or food groups
  • Disordered eating

What kind of activities or programs in the workplace can promote unhealthy attitudes to food and eating?

A negative food environment can have detrimental impacts on employees’ physical and mental health, as well as their relationship with food and their bodies.3,6

This can also add to the barriers employees face when trying to practice proper nutrition while at work. This increases the risk that the individual and the organisation will not achieve their mutual goals of improved wellbeing, quality of life, and productivity.4 Therefore, it is important to be aware of the types and kinds of activities or behaviours that may innocently be used, promoted and/or encouraged in the workplace.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of factors that contribute to unhealthy attitudes towards food and eating in the workplace:5-6

  • A physical environment that prevents healthy eating behaviours, e.g., minimal or no lunch breaks, long hours, and/or no lunchrooms
  • The use of weight-based or stigmatising language that may make an individual feel insecure, and/or contribute to negative body image
  • Making assumptions about individual health based on body weight or size
  • Deliberately pushing health promotion to certain employees based on body weight or perceived health status
  • Promotion of weight stigmatising material or activities, such as ‘health’ challenges or activities that promote weight loss goals or exclusion of foods or food groups

While it is important to identify factors that act as barriers to boosted energy levels and productivity,3,4,5 it is equally as important to acknowledge employees who may have difficult relationships with food and eating already.8 These employees tend to struggle with shared meals and/or a pressure to eat with or in front of other people, such as at morning teas or shared lunches where an expectancy to consume food is high. This can increase stress levels,8 especially when food options are limited. This is another reason why promoting a healthy food and eating environment is important, as it supports your employees to comfortably practice proper nutrition at work, at their own pace.

How can I promote healthy eating safely in my workplace?

It is important to support all employees to engage in healthy behaviours in the workplace.

Creating an environment that allows employees to feel comfortable with their body and eating behaviours regardless of their weight or size, and without the fear of being judged, gives them the best opportunity to eat healthily.6

In return, there is improved workplace wellbeing that benefits all parties involved.4,5

Here are some ways you can help promote healthy eating safely in the workplace:4-6,9-10

  • Supply nutritious snack options, such as fresh fruits, vegetables and wholegrains at functions, in breakrooms, and in cafeterias
  • Provide a physical environment that supports healthy behaviours e.g., suitable break out areas, food necessities such as fridges, ovens, sinks, preparation spaces, and cleaning equipment where practical
  • Provide and promote a supportive, non-judgemental environment for all employees, including a culture of body positivity and acceptance
  • Address weight stigma in the workplace by applying anti-discrimination strategies to body weight as you would ethnicity, gender, or religion
  • Ensure hiring practices are fair and do not discriminate against body weight or size
  • Discourage commentary or conversation regarding body weight and/or dieting
  • Encourage respectful and inclusive language that reflects commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Promote researched and evidence-based resources in the workplace, such as the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE)
  • Reinforce legislation in line with ‘Workplace Health and Safety,’ i.e., mandatory lunch breaks for all employees who are entitled to them

For more ideas on healthy food choices and behaviours in the workplace, check out this3 article by our colleague Stefanie Lekkas.

Applying a weight neutral and weight inclusive approach in the workplace aids everyone in implementing a well-rounded diet.4,6 It will assist individuals in meeting their own individual needs, regardless of their weight or size, as well as contributing to general health and wellbeing.6 It will also help to dispel myths and stereotypes about weight and health and promote a culture of inclusivity and wellness in the workplace.6

This approach removes the likelihood of unknowingly promoting inappropriate, non-evidence-based nutrition resources7 that may make nutrition and eating feel “taboo,” and discourages language that may make an employee feel insecure or stigmatised, and/or contribute to negative body image.6,7,11 This is particularly important, as it can impact on an individual’s relationship with food and eating.

Proper nutrition is often an underestimated and overlooked factor in the workplace, despite being linked to better health, lowered risk of chronic diseases, reduced absenteeism, improved quality of life, well-being, and increased productivity.3,4,5

To gain these benefits, it’s important for employers to identify barriers to healthy eating and replace them with evidence-based, health supporting activities, programs and behaviours that aid all employees in meeting their own individual needs and requirements, regardless of their weight or size.6,9

Do you want help fostering a culture of health and wellbeing in your workplace? We are here to help!

References

  1. Survey: More than half of U.S. employees who typically eat lunch during work hours struggle to make it healthy. American Heart Association. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/survey-more-than-half-of-u-s-employees-who-typically-eat-lunch-during-work-hours-struggle-to-make-it-healthy. Published June 25, 2019. Accessed March 30, 2023.
  2. Top reason US consumers snack is to treat themselves. Mintel. https://www.mintel.com/press-centre/top-reason-us-consumers-snack-is-to-treat-themselves/. Published June 13, 2017. Accessed March 30, 2023.
  3. Lekkas S. Nutrition in the workplace – why is it important and what can you do about it? The Healthy Eating Clinic. https://healthyeatingclinic.com.au/nutrition-in-the-workplace-why-is-it-important-and-what-can-you-do-about-it/. Published January 9, 2023. Accessed March 30, 2023.
  4. May M, Johnson R. Mindful eating – shifting the focus from weight to well-being. Corporate Wellness Magazine . https://www.corporatewellnessmagazine.com/article/mindful-eating-well-being. Accessed February 23, 2023.
  5. A guide to promoting health and wellbeing in the Workplace. Healthier Work. https://www.healthierwork.act.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Guide-to-Promoting-Health-and-Wellbeing-in-the-Workplace-2016.pdf. Published August 2016. Accessed April 3, 2023.
  6. Mauldin K, May M, Clifford D. The consequences of a weight‐centric approach to healthcare: A case for a paradigm shift in how clinicians address body weight. Nutrition in Clinical Practice. 2022;37(6):1291-1306. doi:10.1002/ncp.10885
  7. FAD diets: Diet, types, tips. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9476-fad-diets. Accessed March 30, 2023.
  8. Hopkins S. What is disordered eating? The Healthy Eating Clinic. https://healthyeatingclinic.com.au/what-is-disordered-eating/. Published August 8, 2022. Accessed April 6, 2023.
  9. National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian Guide to healthy eating. Eat For Health. https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines/australian-guide-healthy-eating. Published April 14, 2021. Accessed March 30, 2023.
  10. Workplace Health and Safety. CWU union. http://www.cwu.org.au/workplace-health-and-safety.html#:~:text=As%20a%20minimum%20standard%20you,length%20on%20top%20of%20this. Accessed March 30, 2023.
  11. FAD diets. Sports Dietitians Australia (SDA). https://www.sportsdietitians.com.au/fad-diets/. Published February 10, 2016. Accessed March 30, 2023.