Environmental determinants of obesity‐associated morbidity risks for truckers

What moves truck drivers? A person-centered perspective on workplace physical activity promotion

Objectives. In developing physical activity (PA) promotion measures in the workplace, individual needs of the target groups must be considered. For this reason, this study aimed to qualitatively identify the individual needs for an increase of PA in truck drivers, representing a neglected working group in terms of PA promotion. Methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted (N = 19; mean age 50.5 years, SD 11.4 years; 10.5% female). The interview guide was based on the COM-B model to identify needs related to PA behavior in terms of capabilities, opportunities and motivation. The interviews were transcribed and coded by two independent investigators. Results. Altogether, the codes encompassed 395 statements, and the code system contained 14 codes. Three additional codes described further individual needs related to other health behaviors (nutrition, recreation) or external incentives for health interventions. Conclusion. The results reveal a variety of needs that are fundamental to the development of PA-promoting interventions for truck drivers. These needs appear to be closely linked, so a combination of capabilities, opportunities and/or motivation should be considered when developing holistic interventions. An example would be linking automatic motivation and psychological capabilities that encompass motivational techniques combined with information for psychoeducation of truck drivers.

Increasing workplace physical activity through motivational and volitional coaching – a randomized controlled trial with truck drivers

Purpose

Although the health hazards of truck drivers are well known, only few studies address the health status of this occupational group. The purpose of this empirical research paper is to evaluate the effects of motivational and volitional coaching on workplace physical activity (WPA) with the provision of a vehicle-integrated fitness device.

Design/methodology/approach

Intervention group 1 and intervention group 2 received motivational coaching to improve behavioral internalization. Intervention group 2 received additional volitional coaching to increase physical activity (PA)-related self-efficacy. The control group received only the vehicle-integrated fitness device to perform WPA, as did both intervention groups. Internalization and PA-related self-efficacy were collected four times. WPA was assessed weekly.

Findings

All 140 participating truck drivers were consistently physically active for an average of 85 min (SD = 85.2 min) during motivational coaching, 76 min (SD = 65.0 min) during volitional coaching and 71.0 min (SD = 63.5 min) during follow-up, with no differences found between groups. Variance analyses for repeated measures revealed no intervention effects on WPA, internalization and self-efficacy, and internalization and self-efficacy did not prove to be mediators of increased WPA.

Originality/value

The primary goal of increasing WPA of all participants was achieved, but the present form of coaching cannot be confirmed as a successful strategy. Nevertheless, the results are valuable and could be an impetus for further research on WPA promotion in truck drivers as the creation of an opportunity with the vehicle-integrated fitness device alone led to an increased WPA.

Health and wellness of Canadian commercial motor vehicle drivers

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to solicit perspectives from stakeholders concerning health, environmental and operational challenges among Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers in Canada (truck and bus drivers).

Design/methodology/approach

Two focus groups and one interview were conducted with key industry, government and advocacy groups representing or working with CMV drivers. Perspectives pertaining to working conditions, health issues, driver recruitment and retention, and other key issues in the CMV sector were obtained.

Findings

The findings show that undesirable working conditions are primary issues that impact recruitment and retention, as well as health and wellness (H&W), and productivity of drivers in both the truck and bus sectors. Compared to our US counterparts, finding parking areas and rest stops were seen as a major issue for Canadian truckers (particularly in the north). Unfortunately, there is limited or out-dated information on drivers and companies in Canada. Stakeholders stated the need for more information from both carriers/companies and from drivers themselves (particularly long-haul drivers).

Research limitations/implications

This study identifies gaps and key priority research areas pertaining to the H&W of the CMV sector in Canada that require further investigation.

Originality/value

CMV drivers are considered a vulnerable sector of the population. While drivers themselves have reported on undesirable work conditions leading to poor health, prior studies have not assessed the awareness or perspective of stakeholders involved in the CMV sector. This is the first study to capture stakeholder perspectives of the working conditions and health outcomes of CMV drivers.

Working conditions, health and retirement intentions: a case study of truck drivers

Purpose

Being a professional truck driver implies prolonged exposure to physical and psychosocial risks, which can affect health and work ability in the short and long term. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of working conditions in truck drivers’ perceived health and retirement intentions in a Portuguese transportation company.

Design/methodology/approach

Using ergonomic work analysis (EWA), this study incorporates document analysis, observation and 16 interviews. Content analysis is applied to interviews’ transcripts.

Findings

In line with previous research, drivers acknowledged their activity as physically demanding (e.g. static postures, repetitive movements, heavy lifting) and psychologically demanding (e.g. high time pressure, lack of control, lack of work–family balance). Despite that, drivers report themselves to be in good health, with only some complaints related to back and knee pain. However, hard working conditions associated with ageing can contribute to gradual health deterioration, leading them to desire to retire before the legal retirement age.

Practical implications

The company can promote drivers’ health by creating a unit to provide psychosocial support and career orientation, improving the mentoring programme, and investing in training on occupational risk prevention.

Originality/value

This study is the first to use EWA to examine the impact of the complex relationship between truck drivers’ work and health in their retirement intentions, adopting a temporal perspective.

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

OBJECTIVE

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.

METHODS

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.

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSION

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.

Truckies and health promotion: using the ANGELO framework to understand the workplace’s role

Purpose

Workplaces are challenging environments which place workers at the risk of obesity. This is particularly true for Australian road transport industry workplaces. The Analysis Grid for Environments Linked to Obesity (ANGELO) framework is a public health tool which can be used to conceptualise obesogenic environments. It suggests that workplaces have a variety of roles (in the physical, economic, political and sociocultural domains) in responding to obesity in transport industry workplaces. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings which explore this idea.

Design/methodology/approach

The project used a mixed-methods approach located within a participatory action research framework, to engage workplace managers and truck drivers in the implementation and evaluation of workplace health promotion strategies. The project involved six transport industry workplaces in Queensland, Australia.

Findings

This study found that transport industry workplaces perceive themselves to have an important role in addressing the physical, economic, political and sociocultural aspects of obesity, as per the ANGELO framework. However, transport industry employees – specifically, truck drivers – do not perceive workplaces to have a major role in health; rather, they consider health to be an area of personal responsibility.

Practical implications

Balancing the competing perceptions of truck drivers and workplace managers about the workplace’s role in health promotion is an important consideration for future health promotion activities in this hard-to-reach, at-risk population.

Originality/value

The use of the ANGELO framework allows the conceptualisation of obesity in a novel workplace context.

US long-haul truck driver work organization and the association with cardiometabolic disease risk

Work organization, including long working hours, irregular work schedules, and job stress, has been associated with increased cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk for numerous working populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between work hours, work schedules, job stress, and CMD risk for a sample of US long-haul truck drivers (LHTDs). A nonexperimental, descriptive, cross-sectional design was employed to collect survey and anthropometric data from 260 US LHTDs at a major truck stop. The mean BMI was 33.40 kg/m² and mean waist circumference was 114.77 cm. Using logistic regression, researchers found longer work hours, especially greater than 11 hours daily, were associated with increased odds for an extremely high risk of CMD. Results support comprehensive and integrated approaches that address work organization, and in particular long working hours, to reduce drivers' CMD risk.

US long-haul truck driver health demands integrated approach

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of both occupational safety and health (OSH) and worksite health promotion (WHP) efforts targeted at long-haul truck drivers (LHTDs) and to identify strengths and weaknesses to inform future interventions and/or policy changes.

Design/methodology/approach

Review of the literature was done to identify theoretical and methodological approaches frequently used for protecting and promoting the health and well-being of LHTDs.

Findings

Health and safety issues impacting LHTDs are complex and naturally interrelated. Historically, the majority of approaches to the health and safety of LHTDs have emphasized the safety side and there has been a lack of comprehensive and integrated WHP/OSH attempts.

Originality/value

The literature pertaining to LHTD health has expanded in recent years, but intervention and policy efforts have had limited success. Several scholars have discussed the need for integrating WHP/OSH efforts for LHTD health, but have not actually provided a description or a framework of what it entails in which the authors provide a conclusion to the review of the literature. The authors provide a critical discussion regarding a collaborative approach focused on National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health’s Total Worker Health model. The integration further promotes an advancement of theoretical and methodological strategies.

Truck drivers' perceptions on wearable devices and health promotion: a qualitative study

Background

Professional truck drivers, as other shift workers, have been identified as a high-risk group for various health conditions including cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, sleep apnoea and stress. Mobile health technologies can potentially improve the health and wellbeing of people with a sedentary lifestyle such as truck drivers. Yet, only a few studies on health promotion interventions related to mobile health technologies for truck drivers have been conducted. We aimed to explore professional truck drivers’ views on health promotion delivered via mobile health technologies such as wearable devices.

Methods

We conducted a phenomenological qualitative study, consisting of four semi-structured focus groups with 34 full-time professional truck drivers in the UK. The focus groups were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic content analysis. We discussed drivers’ perceptions of their health, lifestyle and work environment, and their past experience and expectations from mobile health technologies.

Results

The participants viewed their lifestyle as unhealthy and were aware of possible consequences. They expressed the need and wish to change their lifestyle, yet perceived it as an inherent, unavoidable outcome of their occupation. Current health improvement initiatives were not always aligned with their working conditions. The participants were generally willing to use mobile health technologies such as wearable devices, as a preventive measure to avoid prospect morbidity, particularly cardiovascular diseases. They were ambivalent about privacy and the risk of their employer’s monitoring their clinical data.

Conclusions

Wearable devices may offer new possibilities for improving the health and wellbeing of truck drivers. Drivers were aware of their unhealthy lifestyle. They were interested in changing their lifestyle and health. Drivers raised concerns regarding being continuously monitored by their employer. Health improvement initiatives should be aligned with the unique working conditions of truck drivers. Future research is needed to examine the impact of wearable devices on improving the health and wellbeing of professional drivers.

Quality of online physical activity information for long-haul truck drivers

Purpose

– Most long-haul truck drivers are physically inactive. Despite being identified as a source of health information, online physical activity and exercise information has not been evaluated for this population. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the accessibility, accuracy, technical and theoretical quality, and readability of online physical activity, exercise, and sport information for long-haul truck drivers.

Design/methodology/approach

– A standardized protocol was followed to identify and evaluate web sites. Web sites were included in the review if they met the following criteria: first, presented information on physical activity, exercise, or sport; second, provided information for long-haul truck drivers; and finally, provided information in English. Each web site was evaluated independently by the two study authors. After evaluating the web sites independently, the authors then met to discuss each construct for each web site.

Findings

– Overall, 44 web sites were reviewed. Nine web sites provided information based on physical activity guidelines. Most web sites scored poorly on technical and theoretical quality. In total, 28 web sites provided information that was written above the recommended grade 8 reading level.

Research limitations/implications

– Research has shown that theoretically designed physical activity and exercise interventions are more successful than those with no theoretical underpinnings. Creating web sites or online applications using behavioral theory and improving the readability of online health information may help increase levels of physical activity and improve overall health for this population.

Originality/value

– No previous research has examined the quality of online physical activity, exercise, or sport information for long-haul truck drivers. This is the first study to examine how online health information for this population can be improved.