Employees' Expectations of Internet-Based, Workplace Interventions Promoting the Mediterranean Diet: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Objective: Explore employees' perceptions of ability to follow the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), preferences for setting goals if asked to follow the MedDiet, and expectations of an Internet-based, workplace MedDiet intervention.

Design: Seven focus groups to guide intervention development.

Setting: Four workplaces (business/professional services, government branches) in Southwest England.

Participants: Employees (n = 29, 51.7% women), ages 24-58 years.

Phenomenon of interest: Ability to follow the MedDiet; preferences for goal-setting if asked to follow the MedDiet; intervention content.

Analysis: Data were analyzed with the use of thematic analysis.

Results: Participants perceived that adhering to some MedDiet recommendations would be challenging and highlighted cost, taste, and cooking skills as adherence barriers. Behavior change preferences included a tailored approach to goal-setting, reviewing goal progress via a website/smartphone app, and receiving expert feedback via an app/website/text/face-to-face session. Desirable features of an Internet-based MedDiet application included recipes, interactivity, nutritional information, shopping tips, cost-saving information, and a companion smartphone app. Engaging in social support was deemed important to facilitate adherence.

Conclusions and implications: An Internet-based, workplace MedDiet intervention should address adherence barriers, utilize a tailored approach to setting and reviewing goals, and activate social support to facilitate adherence. These findings provide insights to planning to promote the MedDiet in non-Mediterranean regions.

Keywords: Internet; Mediterranean diet; adults; qualitative methodology; technology; workplace intervention.