Campaign changes eating
habits of construction workers
Helsinki (02.09.2009 - Juhani Artto) The Construction Trade
Union and the Finnish Consumers' Association have reached good results in their two-year
campaign to change the eating habits of construction workers and students. During the
campaign, three well-informed young workers visited hundreds of construction sites and
schools to bring their message on what's good and what's bad in daily diets and eating
habits.
They met face-to-face over 25,000 workers and students. Last spring, some 500 of them
filled in the questionnaire outlining their impressions and reactions to the lessons given
by the three promoters. Those who were asked to fill out the questionnaire had met the
promoters on at least two occasions.
Five out of six reported positive changes. The most common change was for the participants
to eat more vegetables, fruit and berries. 59 per cent belonged to this group. Almost as
many again (58 per cent) had begun to eat less fast food.
A majority (55 per cent) eat more regularly now. The study, made prior to the campaign,
indicated that construction workers and students eat too little during their working hours
and, in general, they tend to eat too irregularly.
Half of the respondents have cut down on soft and energy drinks. Due to the campaign, one
third of the respondents became more accustomed to paying attention to the information
printed on food packages.
Last year, the campaign was rewarded by the Finnish Heart Association for its efforts in
promoting heart health at a national level.
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