Breaking the Bias: Unum UK Urges Men to Utilise Nutrition Services as Women Lead Demand
- 70% of all nutritionist appointments booked via Help@hand from Unum were by women.
- Majority of appointments - close to 40% - were booked by people aged 26-35.
- Over 6,000 nutrition consultations have been booked since it launched in April 2023.
Specialist employee benefits provider, Unum UK, has seen female employees leading the demand for nutrition support offered via health and wellbeing app, Help@hand1. 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.
The most dominant age group amongst those booking nutritionist appointments via Help@hand was 26-35 (37%), with those aged 36-45 (31%) being the second most prevalent.
“It’s encouraging to see so many people proactively accessing Help@hand to improve their dietary habits, as its central to our overall health” said Saumya Barber, Head of Proposition Development at Unum UK. “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.”
Unum Medical Advisor, Dr Rebecca Mansfield, added: “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, Dr Mansfield said: “Whilst 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.”
As the UK government works to shift Britain’s focus from sickness to prevention, the importance of managing everyday health and wellbeing is being brought into sharp focus. Saumya Barber adds: “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.”
1 Nutrition consultations are available for Group Income Protection customers only.