Increasing fruit and vegetable intake among manufacturing workers

Abstract

Purpose

Blue-collar manufacturing workers are more likely to have lifestyle risk factors, including a lower intake of fruit and vegetables, for the development of chronic diseases. The purpose of this paper is to assess the effects of worksite health-promotion interventions on fruit and vegetable intake among manufacturing workers.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the evidence for the effectiveness of interventions and makes recommendations on best practices. Types of interventions and theoretical frameworks used in the workplace are reviewed, and findings are presented through research examples. Research for this paper was conducted using PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PsycINFO.

Findings

Positive results were found for the effectiveness of interventions to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. Multiple levels of intervention, an emphasis on employee participation in planning, higher self-efficacy, and social support were found to be effective.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of this review included self-reported data on fruit and vegetable intake. Also, determining if one intervention was more efficacious than another was difficult when multiple interventions were used within a study. Questions have been raised regarding the long-term impact of increased fruit and vegetable intake among employees.

Practical implications

When planning programs, multiple levels of intervention will be needed to increase fruit and vegetable intake among workers. Also, employee participation should be emphasized when planning and implementing programs.

Originality/value

The use of manufacturing companies should be considered as a platform for health-promotion programs. Increasing fruit and vegetable intake has the potential to impact numerous blue-collar workers to help reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Citation

Rueff, A. and Logomarsino, J. (2016), "Increasing fruit and vegetable intake among manufacturing workers", International Journal of Workplace Health Management, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 32-45. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-12-2014-0056