Food choice patterns of long-haul truck drivers driving through Germany, a cross sectional study
Abstract Background Long-haul truck drivers are exposed to unfavorable working conditions affecting their health but information on truck drivers travelling through Europe is missing. The study aimed to describe the populations’ characteristics and food choice patterns while working compared with ea...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2019-11-01
|
| Series: | BMC Nutrition |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40795-019-0326-3 |
| _version_ | 1817994995607535616 |
|---|---|
| author | Andreas Bschaden Siegfried Rothe Anja Schöner Nina Pijahn Nanette Stroebele-Benschop |
| author_facet | Andreas Bschaden Siegfried Rothe Anja Schöner Nina Pijahn Nanette Stroebele-Benschop |
| author_sort | Andreas Bschaden |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Long-haul truck drivers are exposed to unfavorable working conditions affecting their health but information on truck drivers travelling through Europe is missing. The study aimed to describe the populations’ characteristics and food choice patterns while working compared with eating patterns at home, taking weight status into account. Methods A cross-sectional survey using questionnaires in 12 languages conducted at two truck stops in Germany. Results Among 404 truck drivers of 24 nationalities, only 24% were normal weight while 46% were considered overweight and 30% obese. In regards to their health, more than half reported that they smoked and 32% reported at least one chronic disease. 37% ate their meals often or always at truck stops, while 6% never did so. The most common food items brought from home were fruits (62%) followed by sausages (50.6%), sandwiches (38.7%), self-cooked meals (37%), sweets (35.4%), and raw vegetables (31%). Bivariate analyses revealed differences in food choices during work and at home with more sausages, energy drinks and soft drinks, and canned foods eaten during trips. Fresh vegetables, legumes and fish were more often chosen at home. Available food appliances in trucks appeared to be associated with food choice patterns. Interestingly, food choice patterns and food preparation did not differ significantly across weight categories. Conclusions The working conditions of professional truck drivers make a healthy lifestyle difficult to follow and appear to influence food choices while working. Particular effort should be taken to improve food choice patterns, food preparation and purchasing possibilities during trips. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T01:59:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c6dde82fb5df49b480d413682c49a058 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2055-0928 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T01:59:16Z |
| publishDate | 2019-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj.art-c6dde82fb5df49b480d413682c49a0582022-12-22T02:18:53ZengBMCBMC Nutrition2055-09282019-11-01511810.1186/s40795-019-0326-3Food choice patterns of long-haul truck drivers driving through Germany, a cross sectional studyAndreas Bschaden0Siegfried Rothe1Anja Schöner2Nina Pijahn3Nanette Stroebele-Benschop4Department of Applied Nutritional Psycholoy, Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of HohenheimDaimler AGDepartment of Applied Nutritional Psycholoy, Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of HohenheimDepartment of Applied Nutritional Psycholoy, Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of HohenheimDepartment of Applied Nutritional Psycholoy, Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of HohenheimAbstract Background Long-haul truck drivers are exposed to unfavorable working conditions affecting their health but information on truck drivers travelling through Europe is missing. The study aimed to describe the populations’ characteristics and food choice patterns while working compared with eating patterns at home, taking weight status into account. Methods A cross-sectional survey using questionnaires in 12 languages conducted at two truck stops in Germany. Results Among 404 truck drivers of 24 nationalities, only 24% were normal weight while 46% were considered overweight and 30% obese. In regards to their health, more than half reported that they smoked and 32% reported at least one chronic disease. 37% ate their meals often or always at truck stops, while 6% never did so. The most common food items brought from home were fruits (62%) followed by sausages (50.6%), sandwiches (38.7%), self-cooked meals (37%), sweets (35.4%), and raw vegetables (31%). Bivariate analyses revealed differences in food choices during work and at home with more sausages, energy drinks and soft drinks, and canned foods eaten during trips. Fresh vegetables, legumes and fish were more often chosen at home. Available food appliances in trucks appeared to be associated with food choice patterns. Interestingly, food choice patterns and food preparation did not differ significantly across weight categories. Conclusions The working conditions of professional truck drivers make a healthy lifestyle difficult to follow and appear to influence food choices while working. Particular effort should be taken to improve food choice patterns, food preparation and purchasing possibilities during trips.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40795-019-0326-3Truck driversFood choicesEating behaviourDietOccupational healthOverweight/obesity |
| spellingShingle | Andreas Bschaden Siegfried Rothe Anja Schöner Nina Pijahn Nanette Stroebele-Benschop Food choice patterns of long-haul truck drivers driving through Germany, a cross sectional study BMC Nutrition Truck drivers Food choices Eating behaviour Diet Occupational health Overweight/obesity |
| title | Food choice patterns of long-haul truck drivers driving through Germany, a cross sectional study |
| title_full | Food choice patterns of long-haul truck drivers driving through Germany, a cross sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Food choice patterns of long-haul truck drivers driving through Germany, a cross sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Food choice patterns of long-haul truck drivers driving through Germany, a cross sectional study |
| title_short | Food choice patterns of long-haul truck drivers driving through Germany, a cross sectional study |
| title_sort | food choice patterns of long haul truck drivers driving through germany a cross sectional study |
| topic | Truck drivers Food choices Eating behaviour Diet Occupational health Overweight/obesity |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40795-019-0326-3 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT andreasbschaden foodchoicepatternsoflonghaultruckdriversdrivingthroughgermanyacrosssectionalstudy AT siegfriedrothe foodchoicepatternsoflonghaultruckdriversdrivingthroughgermanyacrosssectionalstudy AT anjaschoner foodchoicepatternsoflonghaultruckdriversdrivingthroughgermanyacrosssectionalstudy AT ninapijahn foodchoicepatternsoflonghaultruckdriversdrivingthroughgermanyacrosssectionalstudy AT nanettestroebelebenschop foodchoicepatternsoflonghaultruckdriversdrivingthroughgermanyacrosssectionalstudy |