Long Haul Truck Drivers’ Views on the Barriers and Facilitators to Healthy Eating and Physical Activity: A Qualitative Study

Details

• Personal Author:
  Garg, Arun ; Hegmann KT ; Kinney A ; Murtaugh MA ; Ott U ; Passey DG ; Robbins R ; Thiese, Matt
• Description:
  Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore truck drivers' views toward diet, physical activity, and health care access to inform the development of a weight loss intervention. Design/methodology/approach: The authors conducted four focus groups via teleconference (one) or in person (three). Each focus group included eight to ten truck drivers. Sessions were digitally recorded and transcribed. The authors used thematic analysis of the participant responses to develop themes and subthemes. Findings: Truck drivers desired good health, however, many knowledge gaps were identified. Drivers were aware of some healthy foods, but lacked knowledge of appropriate energy intake and healthy weight. Drivers expressed many barriers to eating healthy food and engaging in physical activity on the road. Participants suggested strategies and resources to improve their diet and increase physical activity. Research limitations/implications: This qualitative study included a convenience sample of 30 long-haul truck drivers. Consensus of themes and subthemes was achieved by four sessions. Issues facing long-haul truck drivers may be different than other truck drivers. Additional qualitative research should be conducted along with interventions focussed on healthy behaviors that can be implemented in the mobile working environment. Originality/value: This is the first focus group study of truck drivers that targets eating and physical activity. Future weight loss intervention designs should address the lack of knowledge and skills. To succeed, interventions should implement strategies to address perceived barriers: access, time limitations, and high cost of healthy lifestyle habits. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Diet Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Obesity Commercial Truck Driving Health Health Care Intervention Occupational Hazard Physical Activity Physical Exercise Truck Drivers Weight Factors
• ISSN:
  1753-8351
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 5 ; OSHA Region 8 ; Utah ; Wisconsin
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  121-135
• Volume:
  7
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20055315
• Citation:
  Int J Workplace Health Manag 2014 Jun; 7(2):121-135
• Email:
  maureen.murtaugh@hsc.utah.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2014
• Performing Organization:
  University of Utah
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20070901
• Source Full Name:
  International Journal of Workplace Health Management
• End Date:
  20110831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:691c84b7ecf2f8ba1aa2d949b5b3ea39e4862f1214206b9bf0d9a63c00740f79fde7f3a8d083e76b5c783eb31e5e449995e09d85f2c1373acb1d6fce005c5fa5
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/217651/cdc_217651_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 238.13 KB ]