Transforming Workplace Diets: Key to Reducing the Surge in Diabetes

The number of adults living with diabetes has more than doubled over the span of 30 years, rising from 7% in 1990 to more than 14% in 2022^.1 An estimated 828 million adults worldwide currently live with diabetes, and if trends continue, this is projected to reach 1.3 billion by 2050^.2 

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin – a hormone which regulates blood sugar – or unable to efficiently use the insulin it produces. This condition leads to high blood sugar levels, which, if left untreated, can result in severe health complications such as blindness, nerve damage, heart disease, kidney failure, and obesity.⁴ Early intervention, including lifestyle and dietary changes, can help prevent and manage diabetes effectively. 

Why Should Employers Care? 

The surge in diabetes extends far beyond public health concerns, significantly impacting business performance and economic stability. Alongside the direct costs related to diabetes care and treatment, the hidden indirect costs, such as lost productivity, absenteeism, and presenteeism, place a heavy economic burden on businesses across all sectors.5 In the United States, where 11% of the population is affected by diabetes, the annual cost of diagnosed diabetes reaches up to $250 billion, with $70 billion attributed to indirect costs such as lost productivity.⁶  

The economic burden is even more pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, where over 80% of people with diabetes reside.7 Limited access to healthy food, delayed diagnosis, reduced access to healthcare services, and inadequate management exacerbates the prevalence of diabetes among vulnerable populations. In India, which has the world's highest number of adults with diabetes, the direct cost per person amounts to approximately US$227, while indirect costs total around US$218 per person annually.⁸  

Diabetes Management at the Workplace  

Employers play a critical role in addressing diabetes through proactive measures that support employee health and well-being. A 2017 meta-analysis study published in the Journal of Occupational Health9 found that workplace dietary interventions can effectively lower blood sugar levels. The most effective workplace programs take a multi-component approach, combining dietary modifications, increased physical activity, and well-being initiatives such as stress management and smoking cessation.1011 Without such interventions, employees with diabetes lose an average of 4.2 more workdays annually than those without diabetes, impacting their productivity and efficiency^.12

"Innovative programs that support workers in managing chronic diseases like diabetes are needed to help address issues like low productivity, high worker turnover, and the increasing health care and disability costs associated with worker health problems."

_McCarthy, M. et al. (2021) ‘Managing Diabetes in the Workplace’, Workplace Health & Safety, 69(5), pp.   216–223. doi:10.1177/2165079920965538. 

What can Employers do?  

The evidence for diabetes management strategies at the workplace suggests practical steps that employers can take to improve the health of their employees and reduce the burden of diabetes. This includes:  

Personalised Nutrition Plans  

• Provide employees with personalised nutrition plans which consider individual dietary preferences, cultural considerations, and medical requirements to create sustainable and effective meal strategies. 
   

• Collaborate with registered dietitians or nutritionists to offer one-on-one consultations, helping employees make informed food choices that regulate blood sugar levels. 

   

Behavioral Support (Counselling and Self-Monitoring) 

• Offer behavioral support programs, such as peer support groups and psychological counselling to create a safe environment to manage diabetes effectively.  
   
• Provide access to and training to use self-monitoring tools, such as glucose tracking and health measurement apps. 

 
Nutrition Education and Nudging  

• Give workshops and information materials to raise awareness on the importance of diet in managing diabetes.  
• Nudge employees to eat healthier, by placing healthy snacks in visible locations and promoting their benefits through posters and communication channels.  
   

Reduced Calorie and Healthy Diets at the Workplace 

Offer healthy food options at the workplace, such as food with high-fiber and healthy fats, and low in sugar and processed, to promote healthier eating habits among employees.  
 

Take Action: Implement Workforce Nutrition Programme 

 With diabetes rates rising worldwide, employers have a unique opportunity to drive change by fostering a healthier workforce. Implementing a Workforce Nutrition Programme can help prevent and manage diabetes among employees, leading to increased productivity, reduced healthcare costs, and improved overall well-being. Workforce Nutrition initiatives empower businesses to create a supportive environment through tailored nutrition interventions, education, and access to healthier food choices at work.

The Workforce Nutrition Alliance provides businesses with the tools and resources needed to establish impactful nutrition programs at workplaces. Their initiatives focus on ensuring access to healthy meals, nutrition education, nutrition health checks and breastfeeding support.  

Learn more about how the Workforce Nutrition Programme can contribute to a healthier, more productive workplace by visiting Workforce Nutrition Alliance. 

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