Health awareness and life-style practices of university foodservice employees

Abstract

This study investigated university foodservice employees perceptions of selected life-styles and desire to improve health. Today, it is apparent that staying healthy is as significant as curing illness. Efforts have been initiated to lower health care costs through education and the promotion of altered life-styles. Currently, foodservice organizations are recognizing the value of keeping employees well in order to maintain productivity, reduce absences and lower health care costs. Employees (625) were asked to answer a 27-item questionnaire. Subjects (298) returned the questionnaire for a 47% response rate. Respondents seldom missed work, made time for leisure activities, and felt secure in their jobs (p<.01). Although such activities are indicators of lower stress, employees (58%) reported interest in attending class sessions on overcoming stress. Perception of being overweight and skipping meals increased with education (<.05). Skilled and technical employees smoked and consumed more caffeine than managerial employees (p<.01). Respondents (17%) exercised regularly, and managerial employees expressed more interest in improving health through physical fitness than the non-managerial group. Overall, poor wellness and nutrition education among skilled and technical employees, suggests that foodservice managers need to provide subtle information to induce changes in employees life-styles. Such changes should focus on health awareness, preferred eating habits, and employees well-being.