Overweight, underweight, and obesity among male long-distance professional drivers in Iran

Abstract

Objective: Long-distance professional drivers, as an occupational group, are hypothesized to have a higher risk of overweight and obesity. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of overweight, underweight, and obesity in long-distance professional drivers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 36 625 male long-distance professional drivers age >= 20 years, from April 2013 to Sept. 2016. Drivers were interviewed and underwent clinical and laboratory examinations including measures of blood pressure (BP), blood tests, anthropometric data, and visual and hearing acuity. The mean (standard deviation SD) age of participants was 41.9 (10.2) years with a mean (SD) duration of a professional driving of 15.3 (9.6) years and mean (SD) body mass index (BMI) was 25.7 (4.0) kg/m(2). Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 39.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) 38.6, 39.6) and 10.8% (95% CI 10.5, 11.1), respectively. A total percentage of 2.7 (95% CI 2.5, 2.9) were underweight. A total percentage of 10.6 had BMI 30-40 kg/m(2) and 0.2% had BMI >= 40 kg/m(2). Using a stepwise binary logistic regression model for overweight, underweight, and obesity, age had a significant independent relationship with underweight, overweight, and obesity. Duration of work, BP, fasting plasma glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol had significant independent positive association and smoking had a negative association with overweight/obesity when other covariates were considered. Conclusions: These findings indicate that overweight and obesity are prevalent among long-distance professional drivers in Iran and appears to be similar to the general population.