Occupational health and metabolic risk factors: A pilot intervention for transport workers

• Authors: Helen L. Naug , Natalie J. Colson , Avinash Kundur , Abishek Santha Kumar , Lada Tucakovic , Michael Roberts , Indu Singh

Abstracts

EN

Objectives Heavy vehicle transport workers have a high risk of obesity and obesity-related disorders including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Sedentary nature of their work makes a healthy work and lifestyle balance difficult to achieve. Educational interventions that promote behavioral changes have been shown to be effective in various group settings. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of metabolic risk factors among a population of urban bus drivers; to deliver a 3-month educational intervention specifically tailored for the workplace environment of transport workers; and to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention through quantitative measurements and qualitative feedback. Material and Methods Thirty-three bus drivers from depots in south Queensland were recruited for the study. Baseline metabolic data were collected through anthropometric measurements, blood collection and diet/lifestyle questionnaires. Metabolic risk factors that were analyzed included: waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose, blood triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Three interactive seminars were delivered over a 3-month period. At the end of the period, data collection was repeated. Results At the commencement of the study, 35% of the participants exhibited ≥ 3 of the metabolic risk factors that characterize metabolic syndrome. This is higher than the reported prevalence in the general Australian population (22.1%). A total 21 of the 33 participants remained committed to the intervention and provided pre and post intervention data. Of these, 28% (N = 6) showed a decrease in one or more of the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. There was a significant increase in the average HDL-C after the intervention. Qualitative feedback indicated that the workers benefited from the program, especially regarding their awareness of the risks associated with their profession. Conclusions This pilot study demonstrates that lifestyle education seminars specifically tailored for the workplace can have an impact on the health behaviors of transport workers.

Keywords

EN

obesity; transport workers; lifestyle education; education interventions; sedentary behavior; metabolic risk

• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dra Jerzego Nofera w Łodzi
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Year: 2016
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 573-584

Dates

published

2016

Contributors

author

Helen L. Naug

• Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (School of Medical Science)

author

Natalie J. Colson

• Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (School of Medical Science)

author

Avinash Kundur

• Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (School of Medical Science)

author

Abishek Santha Kumar

• Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (School of Medical Science)

author

Lada Tucakovic

• Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (School of Medical Science)

author

Michael Roberts

• Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (School of Medical Science)

author

Indu Singh

• Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (School of Medical Science)

Identifiers

DOI

10.13075/ijomeh.1896.00570

Biblioteka Nauki

2177422