A Brief Participatory Workplace Intervention on Dietary Barriers and Healthy Eating Intentions Among Employees: A...

An unhealthy diet is a major modifiable risk factor for chronic disease, and workplace environments may pose specific barriers to healthy eating.

This single-arm, pre-post workplace intervention assessed short-term changes in perceived dietary barriers (primary outcome) and healthy eating intentions (secondary outcome) among school employees (n = 36; 83.3% women; mean age = 46.8 years). The 60 min participatory session integrated behavioral economics principles, practical nutrition exercises, and psychological strategies designed to enhance self-efficacy, optimism, and resilience.

The total perceived barrier score decreased significantly (Δ = -1 [IQR -2 to 0]; the paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test = -4.689, p < 0.001, r = -0.78). Post-intervention (T2), the proportion of participants reporting an intention to prepare healthy meals increased (McNemar's test, p < 0.001; OR = 10.0, 95% CI 1.8-54.5). The session was rated as highly useful (mean = 8.3/10), and at the three-week follow-up (T3), 91.7% of participants reported maintaining at least one dietary change.

Although limited by its single-arm design and short follow-up, this pilot study suggests that a brief, participatory behavioral intervention may be a feasible and acceptable approach to support healthier eating in the workplace.