Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and Cardiometabolic Health in Heavy Goods Vehicle Drivers

• Published in: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine Vol. 64; no. 4; p. e217
• Main Authors: Ruettger, Katharina, Varela-Mato, Veronica, Chen, Yu-Ling, Edwardson, Charlotte L, Guest, Amber, Gilson, Nicholas D, Gray, Laura J, Paine, Nicola J, Sherry, Aron P, Sayyah, Mohsen, Yates, Thomas, King, James A, Clemes, Stacy A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.2022
• Subjects: Biomarkers; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Cholesterol, LDL; Exercise; Humans; Obesity - epidemiology; Overweight - epidemiology; Risk Factors; Sedentary Behavior
• ISSN: 1536-5948
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002484

Physical inactivity, prolonged sitting, and unhealthy dietary habits are common in Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers. These factors increase risk of long-term health conditions. 329 HGV drivers across 25 UK depots completed a health assessment, including questionnaire completion, and objectively measured anthropometrics, blood biomarkers, physical activity (PA), and sedentary behavior. The sample demonstrated a high-risk cardiometabolic health profile. 88.1% were overweight or had obesity, and 11.9% had pre-diabetes or diabetes. 28.3% had hypertension, 83.6% had clinically elevated circulating low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations (>2mmol/l), and 66.6% had high total cholesterol levels (>4mmol/l). On workdays drivers accumulated 12 hours/day of sitting, 1.7 hours/day of light PA, and 9.8 mins/day of moderate-to-vigorous PA. Associations between light PA and cardiometabolic markers were observed. This sample presents high levels of inactivity, overweight, and obesity, and unhealthy cardiometabolic health profiles.