Employees' Expectations of Internet-Based, Workplace Interventions Promoting the Mediterranean Diet: A Qualitative Study.
Explore employees' perceptions of ability to follow the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), preferences for setting goals if asked to follow the MedDiet, and expectations of an Internet-based, workplace MedDiet intervention.



Seven focus groups to guide intervention development.



Four workplaces (business/professional services, government branches) in Southwest England.



Employees (n = 29, 51.7% women), ages 24-58 years.



Ability to follow the MedDiet; preferences for goal-setting if asked to follow the MedDiet; intervention content.



Data were analyzed with the use of thematic analysis.



Participants perceived that adhering to some MedDiet recommendations would be challenging and highlighted cost, taste, and cooking skills as adherence barriers. Behavior change preferences included a tailored approach to goal-setting, reviewing goal progress via a website/smartphone app, and receiving expert feedback via an app/website/text/face-to-face session. Desirable features of an Internet-based MedDiet application included recipes, interactivity, nutritional information, shopping tips, cost-saving information, and a companion smartphone app. Engaging in social support was deemed important to facilitate adherence.



An Internet-based, workplace MedDiet intervention should address adherence barriers, utilize a tailored approach to setting and reviewing goals, and activate social support to facilitate adherence. These findings provide insights to planning to promote the MedDiet in non-Mediterranean regions.
Centre for Exercise, Nutrition, and Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Angeliki.Papadaki@bristol.ac.uk.
Angeliki
A
Papadaki
Centre for Exercise, Nutrition, and Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Andreas
A
Thanasoulias
Centre for Exercise, Nutrition, and Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Rachael
R
Pound
Centre for Exercise, Nutrition, and Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Simon J
SJ
Sebire
Centre for Exercise, Nutrition, and Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Russell
R
Jago
D000328:Adult; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean / Q000523:psychology*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006040:Goals; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D060145:Text Messaging; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
Internet; Mediterranean diet; adults; qualitative methodology; technology; workplace intervention