Assessment of UK Heavy Goods Vehicle Drivers' Lifestyle Behaviors: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Heavy goods vehicle drivers face difficult working conditions, promoting unhealthy lifestyle behaviors which are associated with an elevated prevalence of long-term health conditions. One hundred nine drivers across the UK completed an online survey investigating differences in lifestyle behaviors between drivers with ( n = 54) and without obesity ( n = 55), including differences on work and nonworkdays using an exploratory data analysis approach. Drivers with obesity (49.6%) perceived more barriers to healthy eating and being active than drivers without obesity. Drivers with obesity reported choosing more unhealthy options as snacks, ate more often at fast-food chains, and fewer fulfilled the physical activity guidelines. Additionally, the two groups differed regarding food and beverage choices on work and nonworkdays. Heavy goods vehicle drivers with obesity exhibit various dietary and physical activity behaviors associated with overnutrition and poor cardiometabolic health.