Workplace barriers and facilitators to nurses’ healthy eating behaviours: a qualitative systematic review

Abstract

Background: Globally, nurses and midwives have a higher rate of being overweight/obese than the general population, influenced by workplace environments that impact dietary habits. Objective: This systematic review aimed to identify barriers/facilitators to healthy eating among nurses in clinical settings. Design: This systematic review followed Joanna Briggs Institute's guidelines for qualitative systematic reviews. Methods: Eight electronic databases: PROQUEST CENTRAL, SCIENCEDIRECT, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, WEB SCIENCE, PUB MED, and SCOPUS were searched. Articles were screened using JBI SUMARI®, and quality assessment was done using the JBI critical appraisal checklist. Data were extracted using the JBI data extraction tool. Results: Nine qualitative studies were reviewed, involving 488 nurses, concluding 37 distinct findings. Two synthesised findings emerged: barriers, and facilitators to healthy eating, related to organisational (shift work/long working hours), personal, physical workplace environment, and social factors. Conclusions: The review emphasises the necessity of promoting attainable healthy eating practices at organisational, personal, environmental, and social levels within the workplace. Registration: PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews, ID: CRD42022309259.