Fresh Vegetable Program Increases Produce Consumption & Supports Employee Wellness
Start Date
April 2025
Location
MCD 130
Abstract
Intro: Employees with diabetes significantly increase healthcare costs for employers. Diabetes is the most expensive chronic condition in the U.S., costing an estimated $413 billion in 20224. Diabetic employees collect medical expenses about 2.3 times higher than those without2. Indirect costs, including cardiovascular disease and hypertension, total about $106 billion annually3. Type 2 diabetes is preventable through weight loss, healthy diet, and physical activity6. Employee wellness programs can identify potential health risks early, helping employees reduce risks and lower employer healthcare costs5. Does a fresh vegetable program increase produce consumption and support wellness in diabetic employees?
Methods: Following IRB approval, employees with diabetes or pre-diabetes consented to receive free vegetables with weekly pick-up. A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted from May-October 2022. Data was collected at the start and end by on-site biometric measurements, confirmed A1c, and Veggie Meter® measure of skin carotenoids. Data were analyzed at the 0.05 level using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Tests for variables with non-normal distribution. Blood pressure categories were ranked [normal=1, crisis=5]. Limitations include small sample size.
Results: 45/50 employees completed the study; 17/45 had reduced A1c; median changes: weight (-1.53#); waist (-2.75”); A1c (-3.13); SBP (-7.69mm); carotenoids (+18.44). Waist circumference (p-value=0.0025), vegetable consumption (p-value=0.0018), and blood pressure (p-value=0.0005) were significant1. Of 18 employees in BP category H2, 7 improved by 1-3 categories.
Conclusion: Results suggest increased vegetable consumption is associated with reduced waist circumference and blood pressure category.
Fresh Vegetable Program Increases Produce Consumption & Supports Employee Wellness
MCD 130
Intro: Employees with diabetes significantly increase healthcare costs for employers. Diabetes is the most expensive chronic condition in the U.S., costing an estimated $413 billion in 20224. Diabetic employees collect medical expenses about 2.3 times higher than those without2. Indirect costs, including cardiovascular disease and hypertension, total about $106 billion annually3. Type 2 diabetes is preventable through weight loss, healthy diet, and physical activity6. Employee wellness programs can identify potential health risks early, helping employees reduce risks and lower employer healthcare costs5. Does a fresh vegetable program increase produce consumption and support wellness in diabetic employees?
Methods: Following IRB approval, employees with diabetes or pre-diabetes consented to receive free vegetables with weekly pick-up. A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted from May-October 2022. Data was collected at the start and end by on-site biometric measurements, confirmed A1c, and Veggie Meter® measure of skin carotenoids. Data were analyzed at the 0.05 level using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Tests for variables with non-normal distribution. Blood pressure categories were ranked [normal=1, crisis=5]. Limitations include small sample size.
Results: 45/50 employees completed the study; 17/45 had reduced A1c; median changes: weight (-1.53#); waist (-2.75”); A1c (-3.13); SBP (-7.69mm); carotenoids (+18.44). Waist circumference (p-value=0.0025), vegetable consumption (p-value=0.0018), and blood pressure (p-value=0.0005) were significant1. Of 18 employees in BP category H2, 7 improved by 1-3 categories.
Conclusion: Results suggest increased vegetable consumption is associated with reduced waist circumference and blood pressure category.
