Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and Cardiometabolic Health in Heavy Goods Vehicle Drivers

Exploration of Barriers and Facilitators to Healthy Eating in UK Truck Drivers

Background

The working environment of truck drivers promotes unhealthy lifestyle behaviours including physical inactivity and poor dietary choices. This leads to high levels of chronic diseases and a reduced life expectancy compared to other occupational groups. However, little is known about how drivers in the UK perceive their working environment and how this affects their food choices. This study aimed to gain a better understanding of long-haul (8-10-hour shifts) truck drivers' needs regarding healthy food choices whilst on the road to better inform future health promotion programmes and policy needs.

Methods

Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, allowing an in-depth exploration of truck drivers' experiences. The interview guide was grounded within the COM-B model and theoretical domains framework. Audio recordings were anonymised and transcribed verbatim and data analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Ten drivers (8 male) were interviewed with a mean age of 49 years (SD 9.7). Frequently mentioned barriers to healthy eating were limited availability of affordable healthy food options at truck stops, food storage limitations, and limited time for food preparation. Commonly reported facilitators to improve drivers' diet were flexible break times, shorter shifts, secure parking places and/or better-equipped vehicles.

Conclusions

Limited availability of healthy food options, high costs, poor facilities within rest areas, long working hours/shifts, and lack of food storage and preparation time, negatively impacts UK truck drivers' eating behaviours. This study highlights that multi-component interventions targeting the individual, environment and policy, are ultimately needed to improve truck drivers' working conditions and health.

Sitting, Standing, and Physical Activity in Australian Passenger Rail Drivers: On the Right Track for Better Health?

BACKGROUND

Poor health in passenger rail drivers, resulting from perceived highly sedentary work and leisure time, has implications for public safety. To date, no studies have described the physical behaviors of passenger rail drivers. This study aimed to characterize the physical behaviors of passenger rail drivers by investigating the volume, pattern, variation, and composition of behaviors at and outside of work.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 31 rail drivers (77% male, median age 51.0 [12.5] y) in South Australia wore an activity monitor on their right thigh for 8 days and completed a work logbook. Physical behaviors (sitting, standing, light-intensity physical activity, moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity [MVPA], and steps) were recorded for workdays and nonworkdays, and work and nonwork time on workdays. The volume, bouts, between-participants variation, and 3-way composition were compared across the 4 time periods.

RESULTS

Drivers sat for 10.6 (1.5) hours, did 76.3 (38.8) minutes of MVPA, and took 9727.3 (4088.4) steps daily. At work, drivers were sitting 369.3 (41.8) minutes (187.1 [54.2] min in prolonged bouts) and doing MVPA 31.7 (10.0) minutes. Between-participants variation in sitting time during work (11%) was lower than both nonwork on a workday (19%) and on a nonworkday (24%; P < .001). Compositions at work differed from nonwork on workdays (F = 27.7, P < .001), as did compositions on workdays compared with nonworkdays (F = 6.8, P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

Passenger rail drivers were highly sedentary, but also surprisingly active. At work, drivers were more sedentary and had lower variation in behaviors, suggesting work constraints play an important role. Therefore, work may be the most appropriate domain to intervene for promoting healthy physical behavior profiles among these passenger rail drivers.

Prevalence of overweight, obesity, and associated factors among healthcare workers in the Gaza Strip, Palestine: A cross-sectional study

Background

Overweight and obesity are multifactorial conditions that are prevalent in developing and developed countries. They are emerging as a significant public health concern among healthcare workers (HCWs). We aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their associated factors among HCWs in the Gaza Strip.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted to recruit 1,850 HCWs aged 22 years and older. Interviews were carried out to collect sociodemographic information, nutritional information, and physical activity. Anthropometric measurements [height, weight, and waist circumference] were conducted with the HCWs. The body mass index was computed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Chi-square, t-test, and one-way ANOVA were used to compare the variables, and logistic regression was used to examine the associated factors of overweight and obesity.

Results

The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity among HCWs was 65%. The result of logistic regression showed the risk of being overweight and obesity increased within the age group of 40-49 years (OR = 3.20; 95% CI: 2.37-4.32; P < 0.001). Male participants had more risk of obesity than female participants (OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.45-2.15). Married participants had a significantly higher risk of being overweight and obese (OR = 2.52; 95% CI: 2.05-3.28; P = 0.001). Increased monthly income was significantly associated with the risk of being overweight and obese (OR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.22-3.83; P = 0.008). In addition, hypertension (OR = 2.49; 95% CI: 1.65-3.78; P < 0.001) and type 2 diabetes (OR = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.21-4.85; P= 0.012) were associated with overweight and obesity. Finally, a family history of NCDs was associated with overweight and obesity (OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.38-2.07; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study showed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among HCWs. Age, monthly income, marital status, known hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and eating habits were associated with the prevalence of overweight and obesity compared to other variables that were not associated with overweight and obesity such as profession, vegetables, fruit consumption, and physical activity. Urgent action is needed to tackle overweight and obesity among HCWs.

Drivers with and without Obesity Respond Differently to a Multi-Component Health Intervention in Heavy Goods Vehicle Drivers

Physical inactivity and obesity are widely prevalent in Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers. We analysed whether obesity classification influenced the effectiveness of a bespoke structured lifestyle intervention ('SHIFT') for HGV drivers. The SHIFT programme was evaluated within a cluster randomised controlled trial, across 25 transport depots in the UK. After baseline assessments, participants within intervention sites received a 6-month multi-component health behaviour change intervention. Intervention responses (verses control) were stratified by obesity status (BMI < 30 kg/m², n = 131; BMI ≥ 30 kg/m², n = 113) and compared using generalised estimating equations. At 6-months, favourable differences were found in daily steps (adjusted mean difference 1827 steps/day, p < 0.001) and sedentary time (adjusted mean difference -57 min/day, p < 0.001) in drivers with obesity undertaking the intervention, relative to controls with obesity. Similarly, in drivers with obesity, the intervention reduced body weight (adjusted mean difference -2.37 kg, p = 0.002) and led to other favourable anthropometric outcomes, verses controls with obesity. Intervention effects were absent for drivers without obesity, and for all drivers at 16-18-months follow-up. Obesity classification influenced HGV drivers' behavioural responses to a multi-component health-behaviour change intervention. Therefore, the most at-risk commercial drivers appear receptive to a health promotion programme.