A nutritional intervention programme at a worksite canteen to promote a healthful lifestyle inspired by the traditional Mediterranean diet

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness and long-term impact on the composition of the habitual diet of a nutritional intervention programme – undertaken through panels, totems, and table mats or handout leaflets – based on the promotion at a worksite canteen of healthy food-choices resembling the traditional Mediterranean diet. A significantly higher choice of dishes based on wholegrain cereals, legumes, white meat and fish, and a lower choice of dishes based on refined cereals, red and processed meat, eggs and cheese was observed at the end of the intervention and after six months and three years of follow-ups. A significantly better adherence to the nutritional recommendations for saturated-fat, cholesterol, sugars and fibre was observed. This study reveals that a nutritional intervention programme promoting the traditional Mediterranean diet and utilising a minimally intensive approach is feasible and effective to modify in a beneficial way the dietary habits of a working population and keep these changes in the long-term.

Keywords:

• Mediterranean diet in workplaces
• nutritional education programme
• eating habits
• healthy diet

View correction statement:

Correction to: Vitale, Bianchi, Rapetti, Pepe, Giacco, Giacco and Riccardi, A nutritional intervention programme at a worksite canteen to promote a healthful inspired by the traditional Mediterranean diet

Acknowledgements

The participation of the Barilla employees in the study is gratefully acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

Marta A. Bianchi and Valeria Rapetti are Barilla employees involved in the nutritional activities performed in the company.

Additional information

Funding

The project was supported by institutional funds from the University of Naples Federico II and Barilla Company.