Workplace efforts geared toward
The number of obese adults in the U.S. is steadily increasing, jumping more than 10% between 1999 and 2020, according to the Center for Disease Control. And the associated costs that come with weight-related
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Poor nutrition can also affect employees in ways other than weight. Research shows an unhealthy diet can lead to a 20% reduction in efficiency, and bad eating habits are linked to higher rates of absenteeism, sickness and stress, as well as lower levels of productivity. A study by North Carolina State University revealed that unhealthy eating choices in the evening — too much junk food, overeating at dinner, excess late-night snacks, for example — led to people suffering physically and emotionally the following day at work.
"Understanding how food influences the body is crucial for maintaining overall health," says Wesleigh Roeca, workplace well-being director at healthy eating platform Lifesum. "The impacts on hormonal balance, energy levels, weight management and stress management are significant."
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While ultimately, an employee's eating habits are a personal choice, employers can support their efforts to make healthier decisions through a personalized nutrition and meal planning resource that both educates and offers food suggestions specific to employees' needs, Roeca says. And employees appreciate the investment into their well-being: A recent report from Lifesum shows 71% of millennials and Gen Z would quit their job tomorrow for one they felt better supported their well-being.
"Providing employees a tool so they can better understand their personal eating habits and how nutrition impacts their overall well-being [is helpful]," she says. "Recognizing individual variability in nutritional needs allows for personalized dietary choices based on factors like age, gender, genetics and lifestyle, promoting a holistic approach to nutrition."
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Roeca shares a few other initiatives for encouraging better dietary health among employees.
