A cross-sectional survey of cardiovascular health and lifestyle habits of hospital staff in the UK: Do we look after ourselves?

Abstract

BackgroundA high prevalence of stress-related disorders is well known among healthcare professionals. We set out to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and compliance with national dietary and physical activity recommendations in NHS staff in the UK with comparison between clinical and non-clinical staff, and national surveys.DesignA multi-centre cross-sectional study.MethodsA web-based questionnaire was developed to include anonymised data on demographics, job role, cardiovascular risk factors and diseases, dietary habits, physical activity and barriers towards healthy lifestyle. This was distributed to staff in four NHS hospitals via emails.ResultsA total of 1158 staff completed the survey (response rate 13%) with equal distribution between the clinical and non-clinical groups. Most staff were aged 26–60 years and 79% were women. Half of the staff were either overweight or obese (51%) with no difference between the groups (P = 0.176), but there was a lower prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors compared to the general population. The survey revealed a low compliance (17%) with the recommended intake of five-a-day portions of fruit and vegetables, and that of moderate or vigorous physical activity (56%), with no difference between the clinical and non-clinical staff (P = 0.6). However, more clinical staff were exceeding the alcohol recommendations (P = 0.02). Lack of fitness facilities and managerial support, coupled with long working hours, were the main reported barriers to a healthy lifestyle.ConclusionsIn this survey of UK NHS staff, half were found to be overweight or obese with a lower prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors compared to the general population. There was a low compliance with the five-a-day fruit and vegetables recommendation and physical activity guidelines, with no difference between the clinical and non-clinical staff.

Workplace-based interventions to promote healthy lifestyles in the NHS workforce: a rapid scoping and evidence map

“…They also reported that 46% of nurses, 49% of other health-care professionals and 44% of unregistered care workers did not meet physical activity guidelines. 17 These figures for physical activity are consistent with the proportion reported by Mittal et al 16 for all staff (44%). In addition, the proportion of UK health-care workers who reported being overweight or obese in four recent studies ranged from 44% to 69%.…”

“…14 Emphasis has been placed on staff taking responsibility for their own health and acting as a positive role model for engaging in healthy behaviours. 15 Notably, a number of recent UK studies found that a large proportion of health-care staff do not themselves meet public health guidance in relation to healthy lifestyle behaviours including consumption of fruit and vegetables, 16,17 consumption of fats, 16 consumption of sugars, 16 physical activity 16,17 and alcohol consumption; 17 for example, Mittal et al 16 reported that 83% of all staff did not eat the recommended five or more portions of fruit or vegetables per day. Similarly, Schneider et al 17 found that 68% of nurses, 53% of other health-care professionals and 82% of unregistered care workers (including nursing auxiliaries and assistants) did not eat five or more portions of fruit or vegetables daily.…”

“…In addition, the proportion of UK health-care workers who reported being overweight or obese in four recent studies ranged from 44% to 69%. 14,16,18,19 Schneider et al 17 raised concerns about the potential impact of nurses' low personal adherence to public health guidance in relation to healthy lifestyles on their health promotion work with patients and its effectiveness. Furthermore, Kyle et al 14 highlighted an increased risk of both musculoskeletal and mental health conditions from having excess body weight, which, as highlighted earlier, are leading causes of ill health and sickness absence among NHS staff.…”

The prevalence of risk factors for chronic noncommunicable diseases among medical specialists in the Tomsk region

“…К подобному выводу пришли ученые из США (2014), где продолжительность рабочего дня была определена как важный профессиональный фактор, связанный с курением, причем чаще у врачей женского пола [10]. Врачи-респонденты из Великобритании отмечают, что одним из главных барьеров для здорового образа жизни в 51% случаев выступает недостаток свободного времени [11].…”

Fruit intake and reduced risk of hypertension: are there any forbidden fruits?

“…However, the challenge to reach the five a day target was recently shown in the UK, where only 17% of hospital staff succeeded. 1 These recommendations are based on a solid foundation of evidence from longitudinal and interventional studies indicating that a high intake of fruit is associated with a lower risk of hypertension and associated outcomes. [2][3][4][5][6] When the Global Burden of Disease Study collaborators ranked 84 different metabolic, environmental and behavioural risk factors by risk-attributable disability adjusted life years (DALYs), a diet low in fruit was ranked 13thclimbing seven positions from being ranked 20th in 1990.…”