Long-term effect of the Brazilian Workers’ Food Program on the nutritional status of manufacturing workers: A population-based prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background The Brazilian Workers Food Program (WFP) is a public policy program of nutritional assistance to workers, with the main objective of improving nutritional conditions, which was implemented 40 years ago and serves over 21.4 million workers. Objectives To compare the long-term change in anthropometric indicators of the nutritional status and dietary intake between workers of manufacturing industries adherent to and non-adherent to the WFP. Methods A prospective cohort study, based on a combined stratified and multistage probability sampling, was carried out, with two waves with a 4-year interval. The change in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and dietary intake at lunch by the 24-hour recall method were compared between groups with analysis of covariance. Results A total of 273 workers in 16 industries from an initial cohort of 1069 workers in 26 industries of the State of Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil were evaluated in the two waves. The mean age was 37±10 years and 53.1% were male, with no differences between groups in age and sex distribution. BMI increased in both groups (0.44 kg/m2 in non-WFP, p = 0.003, and 0.56 kg/m2 in WFP, p = 0.0006) and WC increased in the WFP group (1.50 cm, p = 0.0006). BMI change over time did not show statistical differences between groups (p = 0.54) but WC had

Effects of the nutritional interventions in improving employee's cardiometabolic risk factors in the workplace: A systematic review

“…This finding confirms the hypothesis of an increase in BMI and WC indices and a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity in workers, which could be due to their adherence to the WFP. In addition, this requires the better monitoring of the program so as to regulate the nutritional quality of the meals provided, thereby achieving better results in terms of the workers' nutritional status [39]. This finding may be explained by increased energy intakes of participants in the WFP group compared to the control.…”

<p>Relationship Between Metabolic Syndrome and the Brazilian Workers’ Food Program in Male and Female Manufacturing Workers</p>

“…Over the years, with the progressive improvement in wealth and social conditions in Brazil, the nutritional parameters defined by the WFP suffered several reformulations in order to maintain its commitment to the food and nutritional security of workers. However, several studies that have assessed the relationship between the WFP and the nutritional status of workers have consistently shown a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among workers from companies that adhere to the program, [6][7][8][9] which goes against the main objective of the program. The results of the present study corroborate those found in the literature since, after adjustment for co-variates, it was observed that the prevalence of MetS was higher among manufacturing workers from companies adherent to the WFP.…”

“…Due to its relevance and wide reach, the program was the focus of several studies aiming to evaluate the offered food and its impact on the nutritional and health status of workers. [6][7][8][9] Some results, however, have pointed to an inadequate nutritional offer, with excesses in energy, protein and lipid supply, in addition to reduced presence of fruits and vegetables on the menus. Comparative studies between companies adherent and non-adherent to the WFP have found greater prevalence of overweight and obesity, in addition to higher values of waist circumference (WC) in workers of WFP-adherent industries.…”

“…[6][7][8] A recent longitudinal comparative study among manufacturing workers observed in two waves over a period of four years showed a greater increase in WC in workers from WFP-adherent industries, compared to workers from non-adherent companies. 9 Considering that increased WC is a component of the MetS, that finding raised our interest in whether workers from companies participating in the WFP would present greater prevalence of that syndrome.…”

Social vouchers

“…The programme encourages firms to provide adequate food to their employees, prioritising workers who receive up to the equivalent of 5 times the minimum wage, but there is a possibility to extend it to workers with income above this limit. Any company can join the programme, including individual micro-entrepreneurs, microenterprises, non-profit companies, as well public or semi-public administrations and entities (Torres KG, 2020 [30]). Up to 30% of employers registered in the programme choose canteens, whilst 70% provide food and meal vouchers.…”