The Work Organization of Long-Haul Truck Drivers and the Association With Body Mass Index.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine relationships between work organization features of work hours, work schedules, and job stress with body mass indexes (BMIs) of long-haul truck drivers. Face-to-face survey data were collected first, followed by collection of anthropometric measures including height and weight (n = 260). Logistic regression (backward stepwise model) was used to identify significant predictors of BMI and to analyze odds ratios. Mean BMI was 33.40 kg/m(2), with 64.2% obese (BMI > 30 kg/m(2)) and 18.4% extreme/morbidly obese (BMI > 40 kg/m(2)). Working more than 11 daily hours was associated with statistically significant increased odds for being extreme obese. Findings suggest that longer work hours (>11 hours daily) have a major influence on odds for obesity among this population. The results align with recent NIOSH calls for integrated approaches to worker health.