Kenny, J; Curran, M; Spillane, J P and Brooks, T (2021) Do you want some sauce on that? Factors influencing dietary habits among the Irish construction workforce: A case study review. In: Scott, L and Neilson, C J (eds.) Proceedings of 37th Annual ARCOM Conference, 6-7 September 2021, Online Event, UK.
Abstract
The health, safety and well-being of the construction industry workforce has received increased attention in recent years, particularly when considering productivity on-site. However, one area that has often been neglected in construction health-related research is nutrition and diet, especially the factors influencing dietary habits. In Ireland, eating habits and lifestyle choices are changing, but when coupled with organisational factors, an unhealthy culture among construction industry operatives remains. Therefore, this study aims to identify and analyse the factors that influence dietary habits among on-site construction workers in Ireland, and document the effects, if any, diet has on their well-being and productivity. The research method undertaken is qualitatively based, encompassing ten semi-structured individual interviews with construction workers on two case study projects located throughout Ireland. Five main themes that influence dietary habits were identified: a lack of education when considering diet; time management when eating before and during working hours; peer pressure and being influenced what to eat by others; a poor standard and lack of eating facilities on-site; and the cost of food. Also, findings highlighted strategies that can be implemented to improve dietary habits, such as training and educational programmes to increase awareness of the health benefits of a balanced diet and lifestyle; improved eating facilities on-site; and employers providing subsidised nutritional meals. Overall, the key contribution of this research illustrates that many factors influence the dietary habits of Irish construction workers on-site, and with appropriate opportunities and suitable training, productivity can be increased, and the health and well-being of the workforce can be maintained, on construction sites in Ireland.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | culture, diet, health and safety, Ireland, well-being. |
| Index terms: | organizational factor, time management, interview, case study, health and safety, productivity, health and wellbeing, strategy, construction site, lifestyle, programme, working hours, well-being, construction industry, construction worker, Ireland, habit, operative |
| Subjects: | practitioner, health behaviours and lifestyles, business, mental health and wellbeing, data collection methods, work location, employment law, health safety and environment, Geography, management, industry analysis, demography, project controls |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Geographical Context, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Roles and Professions, Urban Studies, Legal Issues, Time Control, Site Management, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here