Obesity as a Risk Factor for Hypertension and Diabetes among Truck Drivers in a Logistics Company, South Africa

Perpetua Modjadji,Peter Modupi Mphekgwana,Kebogile Elizabeth Mokwena,Kotsedi Daniel Monyeki,Tshimangadzo Selina Mudau,Morongwa Bokaba

doi:10.3390/app12031685

Perpetua Modjadji, Peter Modupi Mphekgwana + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031685

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Abstract

Despite the occupational nature of truckers predisposing them to cardiovascular diseases and risk factors, data is scarce on their prevalence of obesity and its association with developing hypertension (HBP) and diabetes in South Africa. Extracted from the original cross-sectional study of a sample of 312 employees in a logistics company, a census of 96 male truckers was used to determine the prevalence of obesity and its association with HBP and diabetes. WHO STEPwise approach was used to collect data, including systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure and anthropometry measurements. HBP is defined as SBP/DBP ≥ 140/90 mmHg, overweight/obesity as BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, abdominal obesity by waist circumference as WC ≥ 90cm, waist-to-hip-ratio as WHR ≥ 0.90, and waist-to-height ratio as WHtR ≥ 0.5. Data were analysed using SPSS 22. The mean age of truckers was 46 years, 29% were smokers, and 57% alcohol users, while 26% were physically inactive. The prevalence of overweight (44%) and obesity (30%) were observed, while abdominal obesity was high; WC (59%), WHR (65%), and WHtR (80%). HBP (57%) was prevalent and diabetes was 14%. The odds of developing HBP were high for obese truckers by WC [AOR = 4.68; CI = 1.92–11.34)] and by WHtR [AOR = 5.49 CI = 1.74–17.27), while diabetes was associated with WHR (AOR = 1.19; CI = 1.19–31.21). This study showed an associative link between obesity, HBP, and diabetes among the truckers, which is informative for a relevant prevention programme tailored to their needs.

Highlights

South Africa has recorded over 70,000 truck drivers in transport and logistics companies [1,2]
The results further showed that 29% of truck drivers were smoking, while 44% and 30% of them were overweight and obese, respectively, with an overall overweight/obesity of 74%
Hypertension was significantly associated with all abdominal obesity indicators, more so with waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and followed by body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)

Summary

Introduction

South Africa has recorded over 70,000 truck drivers in transport and logistics companies [1,2]. Truck drivers work for long hours delivering products across the country and borders [3]. Truck drivers work in an environment which provides them with restricted chances to have a healthy lifestyle [7]. Truck drivers are subjected to unhealthy diets because of easy access to unhealthy food, in addition to a sedentary lifestyle, which predisposes them to the development of overweight/obesity [5,8]. Overweight/obesity is an alarming health risk factors among truck drivers and might lead to hypertension (HBP), diabetes, and other health conditions [9,10,11]

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