Workforce gender, company size and corporate financial support are predictors of availability of healthy meals in Danish worksite canteens.
OBJECTIVE
Environmental strategies at worksites may help consumers change dietary behaviour towards a more healthy diet. The present study aimed to evaluate the availability of healthy meal options at Danish worksite canteens and to identify predictors of worksite canteens providing healthy meals.


METHODS
A self-administered questionnaire was randomly mailed to 1967 worksite canteen managers. Besides information and characteristics about the canteen and the worksite, the canteen managers specified the menus available. Two different health groups (Healthy and Less Healthy) were defined in three different meal categories (Sandwiches, Hot meals and Salads) as well as a combined category (Combined) combining all the three meal categories. The characteristics of the worksites were compared with regard to the different health groups.


METHODS
Randomly selected Danish worksite canteens.


METHODS
553 Danish worksite canteen managers replied, resulting in a response rate of 29 %.


RESULTS
Only 12 % of the canteens applied to the Healthy group combining all the three meal categories. In particular, worksites with more than 75 % female employees served healthy menus on a frequent basis. The size of the worksite was positively correlated with more healthy meal options. Furthermore, the present study suggests a positive relationship between corporate financial support and the availability of healthy meal options.


CONCLUSIONS
Among the selected variables studied, workforce gender, company size and corporate financial support were significant predictors of the availability of healthy meal options in worksite canteens. More research is needed on the role that variance in organisation environment plays for the potential of worksite intervention, to make a difference in terms of healthy eating.
Department of Nutrition, National Food Institute, Mørkhøj Bygade 19, DK-2860 Søborg, Denmark. avth@food.dtu.dk
Anne Vibeke
AV
Thorsen
Anne Dahl
AD
Lassen
Jens Strodl
JS
Andersen
Bent Egberg
BE
Mikkelsen
D003718:Denmark; D004032:Diet / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace