Contributing Factors of Obesity Among Over-the-Road Truckers

Contributing Factors of Obesity Among Over-the-Road Truckers by Shari Weiss MPA, Binghamton University, 2008 BA, SUNY Cortland, 1990 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University November 2016 Abstract Obesity among over-the-road truckers (OTRs) is an epidemic creating significant public health issues among this population. The consequences of obesity (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease) put both truckers’ health and their medical clearance at significant risk. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of gender, physical activity, diet, and sleep on obesity among OTRs. Through a socioecological lens, this study examined whether obesity is significantly impacted by gender, physical activity, nutrition, and sleep. This study also examined the impact of the trucking environment on obesity. The study used a quantitative research design and data were collected through a national online survey. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample. The final sample size analyzed consisted of 105 adult men and women. The findings of the research questions were that the source of food for truckers impacted obesity. Truckers who got their food from truck stops and restaurants had a higher incidence of obesity than those who got their food from grocery stores. In addition, those truckers who consumed most or all of their meals/food on the road had higher levels of obesity than those who consumed most or all of their meals in a home environment. In this study, gender was a compelling variable, as women had twice the rate of obesity as men; however, there were more women than men who participated in the study. Limitations included small sample size, unequal gender distribution, and limited ability to advertise the study. Helping the trucking industry understand what contributes to obesity could be the key to creating positive social change through health policy development and implementation. This in turn has the potential to create a healthier workforce in the trucking industry.Obesity among over-the-road truckers (OTRs) is an epidemic creating significant public health issues among this population. The consequences of obesity (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease) put both truckers’ health and their medical clearance at significant risk. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of gender, physical activity, diet, and sleep on obesity among OTRs. Through a socioecological lens, this study examined whether obesity is significantly impacted by gender, physical activity, nutrition, and sleep. This study also examined the impact of the trucking environment on obesity. The study used a quantitative research design and data were collected through a national online survey. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample. The final sample size analyzed consisted of 105 adult men and women. The findings of the research questions were that the source of food for truckers impacted obesity. Truckers who got their food from truck stops and restaurants had a higher incidence of obesity than those who got their food from grocery stores. In addition, those truckers who consumed most or all of their meals/food on the road had higher levels of obesity than those who consumed most or all of their meals in a home environment. In this study, gender was a compelling variable, as women had twice the rate of obesity as men; however, there were more women than men who participated in the study. Limitations included small sample size, unequal gender distribution, and limited ability to advertise the study. Helping the trucking industry understand what contributes to obesity could be the key to creating positive social change through health policy development and implementation. This in turn has the potential to create a healthier workforce in the trucking industry. Contributing Factors of Obesity Among Over-the-Road Truckers by Shari Weiss MPA, Binghamton University, 2008 BA, SUNY Cortland, 1990 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University November 2016 Dedication I dedicate this study to the strong and courageous men and women who travel this nation’s highways and roadways in order to ensure that everyone has the goods and services they need and/or desire. The hours are long, the sacrifices are many, and miles are never-ending. “Truckers deliver everything but the baby. ” Acknowledgments I am extremely grateful to a number of people. First, I would like to thank my committee members. Dr. Foreman, you have been my guide, my mentor, my sounding board, my time keeper, my cheerleader, and kept me focused and on track. Dr. Gutierrez, you have been my advisor, my statistics guide, kept me focused, and given me great encouragement. As my committee members, you have inspired me to achieve academic excellence and provided me with a unique and educational experience. I wish to thank my boss Nancy Johnson, Residential Director, and my Executive Director, Carole Coppens, for giving me support, encouragement, inspiration, and flexibility with my schedule to allow me to have the time I needed when I needed it. I wish to thank my father and my grandmother, who have been sources of encouragement, inspiration, and examples of what hard work, dedication, and commitment to a purpose mean. I wish to also thank my many friends and loved ones who were patient with me while I spent countless hours writing instead of participating in other things that at times were much more fun. Your continued support helped to get me here.