A new peer-reviewed study published in Scientific Reports suggests that participation in a workplace nutrition assistance program was associated with better overall diet quality, with the strongest benefits seen among women. The findings come from a cross-sectional survey of workers in Brazil and add to a growing body of research examining how food policy can shape daily eating habits.
Women in the program scored higher on diet quality measures
The study compared random samples of workers from companies that participated in the Brazilian Workers’ Food Program and those that did not. Researchers assessed usual food consumption using 24-hour dietary recall and measured diet quality with the Diet Quality Index-International. They found that program participation was linked to a higher overall diet quality score, but only among women.
According to the abstract, women in participating companies scored better in the Variety category, including food groups and protein sources, and also showed higher Adequacy scores. The study also reported lower consumption of saturated fat and sodium among women in the program group. No association was seen for men.
What the researchers found
The analysis included workers from participating companies (n=480) and non-participating companies (n=441). Mixed-effects regression was used to examine the relationship between program participation and diet quality outcomes. The authors reported that participation was positively associated with higher diet quality scores, mainly among women.
The study did not find an association between program participation and the Moderation or Overall Balance categories of the diet quality index. Even so, the results suggest that workplace food policies may influence the quality of what employees eat, particularly in settings where access to healthier meals can affect day-to-day choices.
Why the findings matter for nutrition policy
Public food policies are often designed to reduce poverty and food insecurity, but the study notes that their effect on diet quality has been less clear. By showing a measurable association between workplace food assistance and better diet scores, the research adds evidence that nutrition-focused employment policies can play a role in shaping healthier eating patterns.
The paper was published on 28 August 2026 and is available in Scientific Reports. While the findings are observational and cannot prove cause and effect, they may be relevant to health policymakers considering how workplace interventions could support better nutrition.
For now, the study suggests that workplace food support may do more than fill a gap in access: it may also improve the quality of diets, at least for some groups of workers. Further research will be needed to confirm whether the pattern holds in other populations and whether similar programs could produce comparable benefits in the UK and beyond.
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