Women are much more likely than men to use nutrition services, particularly for preventative care, according to statistics released today by Unum.
Specialist employee benefits provider, Unum UK, has seen female employees leading the demand for nutrition support offered via its health and wellbeing app, Help@hand.
Since Help@hand’s nutrition support service was launched in April 2023, it has facilitated 6,225 nutrition consultations – 70% of which were booked by women.
Younger people were also more likely to make an appointment, as the majority of appointments – close to 40% – were booked by people aged 26-35.
Those aged 36-45 (31%) were the second most prevalent.
More than 6,000 nutrition consultations have been booked since Help@hand launched in April 2023.
Saumya Barber, head of proposition development at Unum UK, said: “It’s encouraging to see so many people proactively accessing Help@hand to improve their dietary habits, as its central to our overall health.
“Our engagement data suggests that workers are increasingly prioritising preventative health care like nutritional advice and coaching as part of a holistic view of their wellbeing.”
Barber said: “Comprehensive health and wellbeing support is essential for living well and working better.
“For businesses, the workplace can serve as a key gateway to educate and equip employees with the knowledge and tools to enhance their health and drive productivity.
“As a new year brings an emphasis on healthy lifestyle and dietary choices, we hope to see more male employees thinking seriously about the power of nutrition and preventative healthcare.”
Dr Rebecca Mansfield, medical adviser at Unum, said: “Our food choices have a profound impact on energy levels, cognitive function, mood, and overall physical and mental wellbeing.
“By fuelling our bodies with a balanced diet and adopting healthy eating habits, we can significantly enhance focus and productivity, both in and outside of the workplace.”
Commenting on the number of women booking nutrition consultations, Mansfield said: “While men are increasingly prioritising health and nutrition, evidence suggests that women are more likely to proactively seek help from health professionals, particularly for preventative care.
“Unum’s stats are showing this trend in action.
“But nutrition plays a crucial role in men’s health, too.
“Poor dietary choices can lead to decreased fertility, whereas a balanced, nutrient-rich diet helps maintain a healthy weight which reduces the risk of obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
“So it’s vital that men start to be more proactive about their nutrition and long-term health.”
