Relationship of body mass index to job stress and eating behaviour in health care professionals-an observational study

Abstract

BackgroundHealthcare professionals are usually exposed to job stress which impacts their health. Adult eating behaviour questionnaire was used to check the eating behaviour and the brief job stress questionnaire was used to check the stress level in obese and non obese healthcare professionals. Physical activity of the participants is noted to correlate with the eating behaviour. AimsTo determine the correlation between body mass index to job stress and adult eating behaviour in health care professionals. MethodsThe present observational study was conducted among 262 participants which included both males and females healthcare professionals who were 22 years and above with normal, overweight and obese category of body mass index. The participants were given adult eating behaviour questionnaire and brief job stress questionnaire. Scoring of each participant was entered in the excel sheet and physical activity frequency was noted down. Findings262 participants found weak correlation of body mass index to eating behaviour and job stress. The participants with high eating behaviour fall under normal category of body mass index as they perform some amount of physical activity. It was found that stress was more in physiotherapy professionals; it was not related with eating behaviour. ConclusionParticipants with sedentary life style tend to have high eating behaviour and higher body mass index. Job stress is not related to body mass index.