Office workers who sit all day face higher risks of serious health problems like diabetes and heart disease. Researchers in Sri Lanka tested a new program designed to help office workers eat healthier by meeting them where they are in their readiness to change. Some workers needed motivation to even think about changing, while others were ready to set goals. The study gave different types of help to different groups over three months. This research is important because it tests whether this personalized approach works in countries with fewer resources, where many people struggle with unhealthy diets and office jobs.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a personalized healthy eating program works better than no program for office workers in Sri Lanka who sit at desks all day
  • Who participated: About 600 government office workers in Sri Lanka (roughly 30 workers from each of 20 different offices) who had desk jobs and didn’t move around much during work
  • Key finding: The study was completed by December 2024, but the actual results showing whether the program worked are still being analyzed and will be published in 2025
  • What it means for you: If this program works, office workers everywhere might have a new tool to help them eat better and reduce their risk of serious diseases. However, we need to wait for the final results to know if it actually helps people make lasting changes

The Research Details

Researchers divided 20 offices in Sri Lanka into two groups: one group received a special healthy eating program, and the other group continued their normal routine. The program lasted three months and was customized based on each person’s readiness to change their eating habits. Before the program started, researchers asked workers about their eating habits and how ready they were to make changes. Some workers weren’t even thinking about changing (called precontemplators), some were thinking about it (contemplators), and others were ready to take action. Each group got different types of help matched to their stage. For example, workers who weren’t ready to change got information to help them understand why healthy eating matters, while workers ready to change got help setting goals and tracking their progress. Researchers checked in monthly to see how well people were following the program and measured everyone’s eating habits again after three months.

This research approach is important because it recognizes that people are at different stages of being ready to change their habits. A one-size-fits-all program doesn’t work as well as giving people help that matches where they actually are. This study is also valuable because most healthy eating research happens in wealthy countries, but this one tests the approach in Sri Lanka, a lower-income country where office workers face similar health risks but may have different resources and challenges.

This is a well-designed study because it randomly assigned offices to either get the program or not, which helps prove the program itself causes any changes rather than other factors. The study measured eating habits using detailed 24-hour food recalls (asking people what they ate) plus pictures and computer software to make sure the measurements were accurate. The researchers tracked how well people followed the program each month. However, this is a protocol paper describing the plan, not the final results, so we don’t yet know if the program actually worked. The final effectiveness data will be published in 2025.

What the Results Show

This paper describes the research plan rather than final results. The researchers hypothesized that office workers in the intervention group would make better progress toward healthier eating and would move through the stages of readiness to change more than workers in the control group. The intervention was completed by December 2024, meaning all workers received their assigned program or control condition and completed the follow-up measurements. The actual data showing whether the program successfully improved eating habits and moved people through the stages of change is currently being analyzed. These results will be published separately in 2025, so readers will need to watch for that publication to learn whether the program actually worked.

The study also tracked how well workers stuck with the program each month (called adherence). This information will help researchers understand not just whether the program worked, but also whether people actually participated in it as planned. Understanding adherence is important because even a great program doesn’t help if people don’t follow it. The researchers also collected detailed information about what people ate using 24-hour recalls, which will show specific changes in diet quality and food choices.

Previous research in wealthy countries has shown that stage-matched interventions—programs tailored to how ready someone is to change—work better than generic programs for improving diet and exercise habits. However, very little research has tested whether this approach works in lower- and middle-income countries like Sri Lanka, where office workers face different challenges and may have different access to healthy foods. This study fills that gap by testing the approach in a new setting with different resources and cultural contexts.

This paper describes the research plan, not the final results, so we cannot yet evaluate how well the program actually worked. The study only included government office workers in one district of Sri Lanka, so results may not apply to private sector workers, workers in other countries, or people with different types of jobs. The intervention lasted only three months, so we don’t know if changes lasted longer than that. The study didn’t include information about whether workers had access to healthy foods or faced other barriers to eating well, which could affect whether the program worked in real life.

The Bottom Line

Wait for the 2025 publication of final results before making decisions based on this research. Once published, if the program proves effective, office workers—especially those in lower-income countries—may benefit from personalized healthy eating programs that meet them at their current stage of readiness to change. Confidence level: Currently unknown, pending final results.

Office workers who sit most of the day should pay attention to this research when results are published, especially workers in countries with fewer resources. Employers, workplace health programs, and public health officials in lower- and middle-income countries should watch for these results as they plan health initiatives. People who are sedentary at work and want to improve their eating habits may eventually benefit from this type of personalized approach.

The study intervention lasted three months, but we don’t know yet how long benefits lasted after that. Realistic expectations: If the program works, people might see changes in their eating habits within weeks, but lasting lifestyle changes typically take several months to become automatic. Final research results will be available in 2025.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your current stage of readiness to eat healthier (not thinking about it, thinking about it, getting ready, taking action, or maintaining changes) and log what you eat for one day each week using photos and descriptions. Compare your stage and food choices monthly to see if you’re progressing toward healthier eating.
  • Start by identifying which stage of change you’re in: Are you not thinking about eating healthier, thinking about it, planning to start, actively changing, or already maintaining healthy habits? Use the app to get personalized suggestions for your stage. If you’re not ready yet, focus on learning why healthy eating matters. If you’re ready, set one specific eating goal and track it daily.
  • Check in monthly with your stage of change and your eating patterns. Use the app to record what you eat on random days throughout the month, especially on days when you’re busy at work. Notice if you’re gradually moving to a more ready stage and if your food choices are becoming healthier. Share your progress with a coworker or friend for accountability.

This paper describes a research protocol and plan, not final results. The actual effectiveness of this program has not yet been determined. Do not make health decisions based on this protocol alone. Wait for the final results to be published in 2025 before considering this program. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have existing health conditions, take medications, or have dietary restrictions. This research was conducted in Sri Lanka with government office workers and may not apply to all populations or work settings. Individual results may vary based on personal circumstances, food availability, and other factors.