Two-thirds of Canadian companies offer nutrition programs as a benefit to their employees, according to a Conference Board of Canada survey released this morning.
Of the companies providing such food programs, Nutrition in the Workplace reports that only 41% measure the impact they have on their employees, and only one-third of organizations track the costs of these initiatives.
One of the main reasons for companies to engage in these programs, the conference board said, is to decrease obesity in their employees.
“Employers have a role to play in supporting their employees on this very sensitive matter,” said Louise Chénier, Conference Board of Canada research associate.
“Obesity is one of the most important risk factors for many chronic illnesses and conditions.
“Nutrition programs are a cost-effective way for employers to help employees have healthier diets, which lowers the risk of developing chronic diseases.”
Other survey findings include:
- private-sector organizations are more likely to offer nutrition programs than public-sector organizations;
- of those companies offering the programs, expenditures ranged up to $50,000 annually, with $5,000 per year being the average; and
- most nutrition programs are five years old or less.
In conducting the study, the conference board looked at case studies of Telus, WorkSafeBC, Loblaw and Eli Lilly Canada, among other organizations.
