Healthier Eating In Worksite Canteens From A Social Shaping Perspective

The purpose of the study is to analyze the long term sustainability of a worksite canteen intervention of healthier eating. The focus of the study is on the interrelationship between sustainability of the intervention and on the social and technological development of the worksite. The innovative being the social shaping approach to analyze a health promotion intervention.

In a 6-a-day worksite canteen model study 5 different canteens has been increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables (F&V) and the results of the original intervention and the social and technological development of the worksite have been analysed in a 5-year follow-up study. The consumption of F&V was measured by weighting the amount of F&V at the original study canteens. Later on different relevant actors is being interviewed at the same worksites based on an Actor-Network-Theory understanding.

Findings so far indicate that worksite canteen has proven to be a promising setting for promoting healthier eating. This study shows that future worksite canteen interventions should be based on: participatory approach, long-term intervention and networking among worksite canteens.