Can worksite nutritional interventions improve productivity and firm profitability? A literature review

Perspectives in Public Health

Volumn 131, Issue 4, 2011, Pages 184-192

  Jensen, Jørgen Dejgård ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN   (Denmark)

Author keywords

health; intervention; nutritional behaviour; productivity; systematic review; worksites

Indexed keywords

ABSENTEEISM; ARTICLE; BODY WEIGHT; DIET THERAPY; DIETARY INTAKE; EXERCISE; FRUIT; HEALTH BEHAVIOR; HEALTH CARE POLICY; HEALTH EDUCATION; HEALTH HAZARD; HEALTH PROMOTION; HUMAN; LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION; MEDICAL LITERATURE; META ANALYSIS; NUTRITION SERVICE; OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH; OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE; PATIENT COUNSELING; PRODUCTIVITY; PROFIT; REIMBURSEMENT; REWARD; RISK ASSESSMENT; SCREENING; SYSTEMATIC REVIEW; VEGETABLE; WORKPLACE;

ABSENTEEISM; DISEASE MANAGEMENT; EFFICIENCY, ORGANIZATIONAL; HEALTH KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, PRACTICE; HEALTH PROMOTION; HUMANS; LIFE STYLE; OBESITY; OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES; WORKPLACE;

EID: 79961149706     PISSN: 17579139     EISSN: 17579147     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1177/1757913911408263     Document Type: Article

References (58)

1. Folkesundhedsrapporten Danmark 2007. Kjøller M Juel K Kamper-Jørgensen F, ed. Copenahagen: National Institute of Public Health ; 2007 :
2. Ball K, Timperio AF, Crawford D. Understanding environmental influences on nutrition and physical activity behaviours: Where should we look and what should we count?. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2006 ; 3: 33
3. BoisardPCartronDGollacMValeyreA. Time Constraints at Work and Health Risks in Europe. Dublin: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, 2002. Available at Last accessed 08/04/11
4. FaganC. Working-Time Preferences and Work-Life Balance in the EU: Some Policy Consideration for Enhancing the Quality of Life. Dublin: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, 2005. Available at Last accessed 08/04/11
5. Aldana SG. Financial impact of health promotion programs: A comprehensive review of the literature. American Journal of Health Promotion. 2001 ; 15: 296-320 (Pubitemid 32441482)
6. Goetzel RZ, Ozminkowski RJ. The health and cost benefits of worksite health-promotion programs. Annual Review of Public Health. 2008 ; 29: 303-23 (Pubitemid 351600411)
7. Janer G, Sala M, Kogevinas M. Health promotion trials at worksites and risk factors for cancer. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. 2002 ; 28: 141-57 (Pubitemid 34716251)
8. Glanz K, Sorensen G, Farmer A. The health impact of worksite nutrition and cholesterol intervention programs. American Journal of Health Promotion. 1996 ; 10: 453-70 (Pubitemid 26249613)
9. Katz DL, O'Connell M, Yeh MC, Nawaz H, Njike V, Anderson LM, et al. Public health strategies for preventing and controlling overweight and obesity in school and worksite settings: A report on recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services. MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2005 ; 54 (RR10). 1-12
10. Pelletier KR. A review and analysis of the clinical and cost-effectiveness studies of comprehensive health promotion and disease management programs at the worksite: 1998-2000 Update. American Journal of Health Promotion. 2001 ; 16: 107-16 (Pubitemid 33062649)
11. Soler RE, Leeks KD, Razi S, Hopkins DP, Griffith M, Aten A, et al. A systematic review of selected interventions for worksite health promotion: The assessment of health risks with feedback. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2010 ; 38: S237-62
12. Baicker K, Cutler D, Song Z. Workplace wellness programs can generate savings. Health Affairs. 2010 ; 29: 304-11
13. Berry LL, Mirabito AM, Baun WB. What's the hard return on employee wellness programs?. Harvard Business Review. 2010 ; 88 (12). 104-12
14. McPherson CJ, Higginson IJ, Hearn J. Effective methods of giving information in cancer: A systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Public Health Medicine. 2001 ; 23: 227-34 (Pubitemid 32895891)
15. Aldana SG, Merrill RM, Price K, Hardy A, Hager R. Financial impact of a comprehensive multisite workplace health promotion program. Preventive Medicine. 2005 ; 40: 131-7 (Pubitemid 39468603)
16. Bertera RL. The effects of workplace health promotion on absenteeism and employment costs in a large industrial population. American Journal of Public Health. 1990 ; 80: 1101-5 (Pubitemid 20261387)
17. Bertera RL. The effects of behavioural risks on absenteeism and healthcare costs in the workplace. Journal of Occupational Medicine. 1991 ; 33: 1119-24
18. Burton WN, Conti DJ, Chen C-Y, Schultz A, Edington DW. The role of health risk factors and disease on worker productivity. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 1999 ; 41: 863-77 (Pubitemid 29501346)
19. Maes S, Verhoeven C, Kittel F, Scholten H. Effects of a Dutch worksite wellness-health program: The Brabantia Project. American Journal of Public Health. 1998 ; 88: 1037-41 (Pubitemid 28319357)
20. Meenan RT, Vogt TM, Williams AE, Stevens VJ, Albright CL, Nigg C. Economic evaluation of a worksite obesity prevention and intervention trial among hotel workers in Hawaii. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2010 ; 52 (Suppl 1). S8
21. Mills PR, Kessler RC, Cooper J, Sullivan S. Impact of a health promotion program on employee health risks and work productivity. American Journal of Health Promotion. 2007 ; 22 (1). 45-53 (Pubitemid 350194754)
22. NielsenJSLindingM-M. Sikkerhed og Sundhed Bag Rattet-Kostens Betydning for Trafiksikkerhed, Psykisk Trivsel og Risikofaktorer Blandt Lastbilchauffører, 2008. Available at Last accessed 08/04/11
23. Renaud L, Kirshchuk N, Juneau M, Nigam A, Térealut K, Leblanc MC. Implementation and outcomes of a comprehensive worksite health promotion program. Canadian Journal of Public Health. 2008 ; 99 (1). 73-7
24. Schultz AB, Lu C, Barnett TE, Yen LT, McDonald T, Hirschland D, Edington DW. Influence of participation in a worksite health-promotion program on disability days. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2002 ; 44: 778-80
25. Serxner S, Gold D, Anderson D, Williams D. The impact of a worksite health promotion program on short-term disability usage. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2001 ; 43 (1). 25-9 (Pubitemid 32101412)
26. Stave GM, Muchmore L, Gardner H. Quantifiable impact of the contract for health and wellness: Health behaviours, health care costs, disability and workers' compensation. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2003 ; 45 (2). 109-17 (Pubitemid 36228289)
27. Stein AD, Shakour SK, Zuidema RA. Financial incentives, participation in employer-sponsored health promotion, and changes in employee health and productivity: HealthPlus Health Quotient Program. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2000 ; 42: 1148-55 (Pubitemid 32014677)
28. Patton JP. Work-site health promotion: An economic model. Journal of Occupational Medicine. 1991 ; 33: 868-73
29. Gil PE, Wijk K. Case study of healthy eating intervention for Swedish lorry drivers. Health Education Research. 2004 ; 19: 306-15 (Pubitemid 38724544)
30. Baughman R, DiNardi D, Holtz-Eakin D. Productivity and wage effects of 'family-friendly' fringe benefits. International Journal of Manpower. 2003 ; 24: 247-59
31. Phillips JD. The price tag on turnover. Personnel Journal. 1990 ; 69 (12). 58-61
32. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. The Business Case for Work-Life Balance. Ottawa: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, 2008. Available at Last accessed 08/04/11
33. Lee C-H, Hsu M-L, Lien N-H. The impacts of benefit plans on employee turnover: A firm-level analysis approach on Taiwanese manufacturing industry. International Journal of Human Research Management. 2006 ; 17: 1951-75
34. Abood DA, Black DR, Feral D. Nutrition education worksite intervention for university staff: Application of the Health Belief Model. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2003 ; 35: 260-7 (Pubitemid 37363256)
35. Baer JT. Improved plasma cholesterol levels in men after a nutrition education program at the worksite. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 1993 ; 93: 658-63 (Pubitemid 23180576)
36. Beresford SAA, Thompson B, Feng Z, Christianson A, McLerran D, Patrick DL. Seattle 5 a day worksite program to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. Preventive Medicine. 2001 ; 32: 230-8 (Pubitemid 34136689)
37. Biener L, Glanz K, McLerran D, Sorensen G, Thompson B, Basen-Engquist K, et al. Impact of the Working Well Trial on the worksite smoking and nutrition environment. Health Education & Behavior. 1999 ; 26: 478-94
38. Brandstetter D. Nitty gritty on grains and legumes: A worksite nutrition promotion and cooking demonstration. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 1999 ; 99 (9 Suppl). A36
39. Cousineau T, Houle B, Bromberg J, Fernandez KC, Kling WC. A pilot study of an online workplace nutrition program: The value of participant input in program development. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2008 ; 40 (3). 160-7 (Pubitemid 351615119)
40. Franklin PD, Rosenbaum PF, Carey MP, Roizen MF. Using sequential email messages to promote health behaviors: Evidence of feasibility and reach in a worksite sample. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2006 ; 8 (1). e3
41. Glasgow RE, Terborg JR, Hollis JF, Severson HH, Boles SM. Take heart: Results from the initial phase of a worksite wellness program. American Journal of Public Health. 1995 ; 85: 209-16
42. Kronenfeld JJ, Jackson KL, Davis KE, Blair SN. Changing health practices: The experience from a worksite health promotion project. Social Science & Medicine. 1988 ; 26: 515-23 (Pubitemid 18055433)
43. Lassen A, Hansen KS, Trolle E. Comparison of buffet and à la carte serving at worksite canteens on nutrient intake and fruit and vegetable consumption. Public Health Nutrition. 2007 ; 10: 292-7 (Pubitemid 46682316)
44. Oberlinner C, Lang S, Germann C, Trauth B, Eberle F, Pluto R, et al. Prevention of overweight and obesity in the workplace. BASF health promotion campaign 'trim down the pounds-losing weight without losing your mind'. Gesundheitswesen. 2007 ; 69: 385-92 (Pubitemid 47353661)
45. Perlmutter CA, Canter DD, Gregoire MB. Profitability and acceptability of fat- and sodium-modified hot entrées in a worksite cafeteria. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 1997 ; 97: 391-5 (Pubitemid 27157357)
46. Plotnikoff RC, McCargar LJ, Wilson PM, Loucaides CA. Efficacy of an email intervention for the promotion of physical activity and nutrition behaviour in the workplace context. American Journal of Health Promotion. 2005 ; 19: 422-9 (Pubitemid 41060154)
47. Schafer E, Anderson P. Heart*Style: A worksite nutrition education program in a rural setting. Journal of Nutrition Education. 1998 ; 30 (1). 62-5
48. Steenhuis I, van Assema P, van Breukelen G, Glanz K, Kok G, de Vries H. The impact of educational and environmental interventions in Dutch worksite cafeterias. Health Promot International. 2004 ; 19: 335-43 (Pubitemid 39208118)
49. Sternfeld B, Block C, Quesenberry CP, Block TJ, Husson G, Norris JC, et al. Improving diet and physical activity with ALIVE: A worksite randomized trial. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2009 ; 36: 475-83
50. Pérez-Escamilla R, Hromi-Fiedler A, Vega-López S, Bermúdez-Millán A, Segura-Pérez S. Impact of peer nutrition education on dietary behaviors and health outcomes among Latinos: A systematic literature review. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2008 ; 40: 208-25 (Pubitemid 351815196)
51. Seymour JD, Yaroch AL, Serdula M, Blanck HM, Khan LK. Impact of nutrition environmental interventions on point-of-purchase behavior in adults: A review. Preventive Medicine. 2004 ; 39 (Suppl 2). 108
52. Matson-Koffman DM, Brownstein JN, Neiner JA, Greaney ML. A site-specific literature review of policy and environmental interventions that promote physical activity and nutrition for cardiovascular health: What works?. American Journal of Health Promot. 2005 ; 19: 167-93 (Pubitemid 40105326)
53. Sorensen G, Linnan L, Hunt MK. Worksite-based research and initiatives to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. Preventive Medicine. 2004 ; 39 (2). 94-100
54. Anderson LM, Quinn TA, Glanz K, Ramirez G, Kahwati LC, Johnson DB, et al. The effectiveness of worksite nutrition and physical activity interventions for controlling employee overweight and obesity: A systematic review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2008 ; 37: 340-57
55. Gates DM, Succop P, Brehm BJ, Gillespie GL, Sommers BD. Obesity and presenteeism: The impact of body mass index on workplace productivity. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2008 ; 50 (1). 39-45
56. Kouris-Blazos A, Wahlqvist M. Health economics of weight management: Evidence and cost. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007 ; 16 (Suppl). 329-38 (Pubitemid 46524625)
57. Downey AM, Sharp DJ. Why do managers allocate resources to workplace health promotion programmes in countries with national health coverage?. Health Promot Int. 2007 ; 22: 102-111 (Pubitemid 47355787)
58. Kenkel D, Supina D. The determinants of worksite health promotion. Economics Letters. 1992 ; 40: 345-51