Participation effects of workplace promoting activities on healthy eating behavior

Objective The study intends to examine the effect of participating healthy eating related games or activities in workplace on changes of employee's self-reported behavioral stage for adopting healthy eating. Study design A quasi-experimental study. Methods A multi-strategic intervention for 8-month was designed and implemented in a main staff canteen area within a non-profit academic organization. The initial event included exhibition of custom-made dining plates filled with correct portions of food models for three caloric levels and provision of user-friendly online resources, which were followed by three promotion activities (long-term exhibition of my balanced plates, matching games for six food groups, and do-it-yourself healthy plate) in the 8 months. Results A total of 86 adult participants (males = 37, female = 49) who had completed pre- and post-surveys were included in the analysis. Participants who participated all three promotion activities presented greater advancement in stage of healthy eating behaviors (HEB) than those who did not participate any activity (β= 1.118, 95% CI = 0.428–1.808, P = 0.001 among male participants; β = 0.740, 95% CI = 0.145–1.336, P = 0.015 among all participants). Adjustment has been made for significantly-associated covariates including types of promotion activities, initial-HEB and gender. Conclusions A multi-strategic intervention providing balanced food plates and online resources followed by consecutive promotion activities are effective in advancing HEB for the workplace adults. Differential impacts of promotion activities and gender should also be considered for designing workplace interventions.