Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) programmes: narrative review of the interventions enhancing healthy lifestyle habits among workers according to the World Health Organization domains

Abstract

There is a lack of comprehensive reviews examining workplace health promotion (WHP) interventions targeting nutrition; most of the reviews focus on productivity-related outcomes. This narrative review, based on articles extracted from PubMed between January 2015 and July 2024, aims at providing a critical analysis of the current evidence regarding WHP interventions, and proposes practical principles for companies and human resource management to develop more effective WHP initiatives. The review includes 54 eligible randomized controlled trials conducted in various workplace settings across high-income countries, involving a general adult working population of both sexes, with or without metabolic chronic diseases. Among the 54 eligible articles analysed, 8 different strategies were identified for environmental, 6 for educational, and 5 for behavioural interventions. A combined educational and behavioural intervention was the solution most frequently applied (24 studies). Less than half of the studies were effective. Outcomes that improved most frequently in WHP interventions were waist circumference (11/20 studies evaluating this outcome), consumption of unhealthy food/nutrients (10/17), vending machines or worksite cafeteria purchases (4/5), and metabolic syndrome (2/4). 46% of the WHP interventions tackled ≥ 2 healthy lifestyle domains promoted by the World Health Organization, and 71% used technology. WHP programmes often fail due to poor design, but with evidence-based, tailored strategies and international guidelines, they could drive lasting, widespread benefits. Effective frameworks should balance scientific rigor with practical tools to ensure engagement and impact, providing concrete benefits for the employees, their families and the entire society.