The Burden of Overweight and Obesity among Long-Distance Truckers in Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Abnormal body mass index (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) has become a major global public health problem which is rising at a faster rate in urban areas of low- and middle-income countries. In Ethiopia, the prevalence gradually increases. Long-distance truckers are at a high risk of developing overweight or obesity due to the sedentary nature of their job. Despite these populations at a high risk of developing overweight/obesity such as drivers elsewhere, pieces of data that showed the prevalence and contributing factors of overweight and obesity among long-distance truckers in Ethiopia are not yet available.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and contributing factors of overweight and obesity among long-distance truckers in Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 systematically selected truckers at Modjo dry port in Ethiopia from February to March, 2018. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. The final results were presented in tables and numerical summary measures such as mean and standard deviation (SD).

Results: Of the 400 truckers interviewed, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 56.5%, 95% CI (51.6%-61.4%). The study also found that a monthly income ≥220 USD (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI (1.05-3.18)), having 3 or more family sizes (AOR = 2.24, 95% CI (1.15-4.36)), less than 6 hours of sleep at night (AOR = 3.34, 95% CI (1.99-5.78)), driving for 9 or more hours daily (AOR = 2.29, 95% CI (1.09-4.81)), and a truck driving experience of 10 or more years (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI (1.29-4.18)) were significantly associated with overweight and obesity.

Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was substantially high. The study also found that sociodemographic and occupational factors are mainly associated with overweight and obesity. Therefore, a health education program should be designed for awareness creation on the importance of reducing a sedentary lifestyle, consuming healthy foods or drinks, and having regular physical exercise to mitigate the problem.