Environments on Prevalence of Cardio Metabolic Risk Factors

Literature indicates high prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors among employed

adults who are the workforce of the nation. Worksite environment have a strong

influence on the food choices and thereby the health of the individual. Thus, the

present study was planned to assess the impact of selected worksite environments on

the food choices, dietary behaviour and cardio-metabolic health of the participants.

The present study was carried out among 455 employed apparently healthy adults

(both males and females) aged 25-55 years, working in seven different government or

private organizations of Delhi NCR. Seven public and private organizations which

were selected for the study were segregated into two groups on the basis of presence

(With Canteen-WC) or absence (No Canteen-NC) of canteen. The subjects were

enrolled in the study only after obtaining necessary permissions and ethical clearance.

In order to assess the impact of various food and nutrition environments on the food

choice and dietary behaviour of the employed adults, data was collected using

interview cum questionnaire schedule. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was

used to assess physical activity levels of the subjects. Checklist for Health Promotion

Environments at Worksites (CHEW), Fast Food Environment Index (FFEI) was used

to assess the work and neighbourhood environment as supportive or unsupportive of

healthy behaviour. Further, nutrient profiling of commonly consumed 'away-fromhome'

foods was also done to rate them as healthy or unhealthy. Anthropometric

measurements, lipid profile, fasting blood glucose levels and blood pressure

measurements were measured using standard techniques by a trained technician.

Dietary data of the subjects were collected with the help of food frequency

questionnaire and a three day 24-hour recall. Nutrient profiling model was used to rate

the frequently consumed outside foods as healthy or unhealthy among the study

participants.

The study sample comprised of people in the age group of 25-55 years with mean age

of 41.43 ± 9.8 years. The study participants were well educated and well qualified

adults, who were gainfully employed and majority of them belonged to affluent

sections of the society, living in nuclear or joint families with a family size of 3-4

members. Both WC and NC groups were at par as far as education, occupation and

income was concerned.