Correlation between Nutritional Intake, Physical Activity, and Occupational Stress with Blood Pressure in Dockworkers at Indonesia Fishing Port

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hypertension in the population can result in lost productivity due to an increased risk of premature death and a decline in work productivity. The study on hypertension in workers in Indonesia has primarily focused on formal workers with regular working hours, with little attention paid to informal workers. AIM: This study aims to analyze the correlation between nutritional intake, physical activity, and occupational stress with blood pressure in dockworkers at the fishing port (TPI) Kendal, Indonesia. METHODS: There were 51 male dockworkers recruited. We used a 24-h recall to assess nutritional intake over three non-consecutive days. The physical activity index was measured using the Questionnaire for the Measurement of a Person’s Habitual Physical Activity. Data on occupational stress were obtained through interviews using the Workplace Stress Scale questionnaire. Pearson’s product moment and Spearman’s rank were used to performing a correlation test between variables. RESULTS: The majority of dockworkers had prehypertension (35.3%). There was a correlation between BMI and systolic (p = 0.001; r = 0.554) and diastolic (p = 0.001; r = 0.459) blood pressure. Meanwhile, age was related to systolic blood pressure (p = 0.022; r = 0.320), and cholesterol intake was associated with diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.040; r = 0.289). Blood pressure was not associated with physical activity and occupational stress. CONCLUSION: Dockworkers should reduce sedentary activities and maintain healthy body weight to prevent hypertension.