Shape change and obesity prevalence among male UK offshore workers after 30 years: New insight from a 3D scanning study

Abstract

UK offshore workers today have higher BMI than Scottish men, although some muscular individuals may be misclassified by BMI. Girth data, particularly at the waist, where dimensional increase was greatest, together with predictions of total and visceral fatness, suggest less favorable health status in others.

Dietary intake and obesity in oil and gas workers: A literature review

“…Plentiful of pleasant energy-dense foods prepared with significant amount of salt and fat are served. 10 It is natural to grab the nearest available food when in hunger, therefore food provision is a key influence on workers healthy eating behavior. To make healthy food available and probably restrict eating times were suggested to positively impact eating behavior.…”

“…Overall prevalence of obesity ranged from 12.7% from Italian oil and gas and energy company worker 12 to 49.5% from Indonesian onshore oil and gas workers 23 Observative cross-sectional studies reported that mean BMI and obesity prevalence increased during follow-up period. 10,24 Variables found to be significantly associated with BMI among oil and gas worker were age, gender, marital status, level of education, employment status, type of work, job control, job demand, smoking, physical activity, and dietary intake, however the direction of these associations varied between studies. 12,[22][23][24][25] Two studies found that older workers were more likely to have obesity, when compared to younger worker (Christina et al 2011;Mannocci et al 2015).…”

“…9 Growing body of evidence revealed that it is easier to find obese worker in oil and gas population, compared to general adults' population. [10][11][12] Foods in oil and gas workplace are usually available at all hours throughout the days. Plentiful of pleasant energy-dense foods prepared with significant amount of salt and fat are served.…”

“…Therefore, their diet are known to be high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. 10 However, studies regarding their eating habits and nutrition intake as the key aspect of obesity prevention were rather limited.…”

Offshore Helicopter Travel: Is the U.K. Oil and Gas Industry Failing Workers?

“…Anthropometric data have not been updated since the original 1984 study 26 in relation to U.K. offshore workers. Results from research conducted in 2017 27 suggests that U.K. offshore workers have increased in weight by an average of 19 percent 8 ; thus, a higher percentage of workers will be less able to exit in a timely manner, thereby risking lives. However rather than redesign helicopters to take account of the increased size of a modern worker, workers who are too large to fit through the emergency exits are no longer allowed to fly.…”