Nutritional Education in Polish Companies: Employee Needs and the Role of Employers in Health Promotion

Abstract

The modern work environment is constantly evolving, and with it, the emphasis on employee health and well-being is increasing.

Background: Nutritional education has become a key component of health promotion strategies in many companies that recognize the benefits of healthy eating habits for enhancing efficiency and job satisfaction.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to understand employees' nutritional needs at work, and to assess the support provided by employers. The analysis focused on employees' eating habits and their attitudes towards eating at work, motives and barriers to healthy eating.

Methods: The study was conducted using an anonymous survey completed by 1.056 individuals from across Poland. A discriminant function was selected for data analysis, which examined the differences between groups.

Results/conclusions: The larger enterprises are more inclined to establish meal consumption spaces, which contributes to a more organised work culture. The larger the business, the more time employees spend eating meals, it being influenced by better-developed eating facilities, which undoubtedly encourages the workers to take longer breaks. The people with obesity were found to place the highest value on healthy food options and the people with a normal BMI are more responsive to healthy food subsidies, nutritional advice provided by a dietitian, and access to fitness facilities.

Keywords: barriers and motives; company canteens; employee; employer; healthy eating.