Changing risk behaviours for non-communicable disease in New Zealand working men--is workplace intervention effective?

AIMS To evaluate the effectiveness of a health promotion programme targeting dietary behaviours and physical activity among male hourly-paid workers and to explore demographic and attitudinal influences on dietary patterns at baseline. METHODS A controlled field trial compared workers at one intervention and one control worksite. The intervention comprised nutrition displays in the cafeteria and monthly 30-minute workshops for six months. Key outcome measures at six and twelve-months were self-reported dietary and lifestyle behaviours, nutrition knowledge, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and blood pressure. RESULTS 132 men at the intervention site and 121 men at the control site participated in the study and a high retention rate (94% at 6-months and 89% at 12-months) was achieved. At baseline, 40% of the total sample (253) were obese, 30% had elevated blood pressure, 59% indicated an excessive fat intake and 92% did not meet the recommended vegetable and fruit intake. The intervention reduced fat intake, increased vegetable intake and physical activity, improved nutrition knowledge and reduced systolic blood pressure when compared to the control site. There was no difference in change in mean BMI or waist circumference. Reduction in BMI was associated with reduction in fat intake. DISCUSSION Low intensity workplace intervention can significantly improve reported health behaviours and nutrition knowledge although the impact on more objective measures of risk was variable. A longer duration or more intensive intervention may be required to achieve further reduction in risk factors.