Mediterranean diet interventions at the workplace
By Guillermo García-Pérez-de-Sevilla
The Mediterranean diet is characterized by consumption of foods that are high in monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols, and fiber; as well as low in saturated fat, red meat, and salt. There are numerous health benefits related to adherence to the Mediterranean diet, including lower systemic inflammation, lower DNA oxidative damage, greater insulin sensitivity, lower blood pressure, healthier lipid profile, and improved endothelial function, providing a protective effect against cardiometabolic diseases.
Despite the beneficial health effects traditionally attributed to this diet, there is little research about the effectiveness of Mediterranean diet interventions carried out in the workplace on cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, we performed a systematic review about this topic.
Two studies that compared a low carbohydrate-Mediterranean diet intervention with a low-fat diet intervention for 12 months reported an increase in the adherence to the Mediterranean diet of the participants, and an improvement of the lipid profile and the insulin sensitivity, thus reducing the cardiometabolic risk of the participants, who were mostly obese. The two studies were performed in a nuclear plant in Israel, where the Mediterranean diet is a tradition. We should highlight the fact that these two interventions reduced the cardiometabolic risk of the participants thanks to an increase in adherence to the Mediterranean diet, without reducing the body weight. The most effective intervention provided the employees a tailored lunch in the workplace cafeteria, in addition to monthly nutritional workshops about the characteristics of the Mediterranean diet.
There was another study, which took place in the United States, that was not successful in reducing cardiometabolic risk, perhaps because the Mediterranean diet is not part of the country’s food culture, leading to low adherence to the diet by participants.
Implications for Occupational Health Practice: company occupational health teams should consider providing Mediterranean diet-based menus at workplace cafeterias, characterized by a high intake of fruit, vegetables, olive oil, seeds, and fish, and low intake of red meat, processed meat, and salt. Also, they should consider conducting regular nutritional sessions about the characteristics and beneficial effects of a healthy diet.
We should consider that it may be easier to implement Mediterranean diet interventions in countries where is already part of the wider culture.
Article Details
Effectiveness of Workplace Mediterranean Diet Interventions on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review
Guillermo García Pérez de Sevilla and Beatriz Sánchez-Pinto Pinto
First published online January 25, 2022
DOI: 10.1177/21650799211045708
Workplace Health & Safety
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