Helsinki (02.09.2009 - Juhani Artto) The Construction Trade Union and the Finnish Consumers' Association have reached good results in their two-year campaign to change the eating habits of construction workers and students. During the campaign, three well-informed young workers visited hundreds of construction sites and schools to bring their message on what's good and what's bad in daily diets and eating habits.
They met face-to-face over 25,000 workers and students. Last spring, some 500 of them filled in the questionnaire outlining their impressions and reactions to the lessons given by the three promoters. Those who were asked to fill out the questionnaire had met the promoters on at least two occasions.
Five out of six reported positive changes. The most common change was for the participants to eat more vegetables, fruit and berries. 59 per cent belonged to this group. Almost as many again (58 per cent) had begun to eat less fast food.
A majority (55 per cent) eat more regularly now. The study, made prior to the campaign, indicated that construction workers and students eat too little during their working hours and, in general, they tend to eat too irregularly.
Half of the respondents have cut down on soft and energy drinks. Due to the campaign, one third of the respondents became more accustomed to paying attention to the information printed on food packages.
Last year, the campaign was rewarded by the Finnish Heart Association for its efforts in promoting heart health at a national level.