Cardiometabolic risk factors and mental health status among truck drivers: a systematic review

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to systematically review and summarise the literature on cardiometabolic risk factors, lifestyle health behaviours and mental health status of truck drivers globally to ascertain the scale of these health concerns.DesignSystematic review reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.Data sourcesPubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched in January 2019 and updated in January 2020, from the date of inception to 16 January 2020.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesPapers were included if they (1) reported independent data on truck drivers, (2) included quantitative data on outcomes related to cardiometabolic markers of health, mental health and/or health behaviours, (3) were written in English and (4) were published in a peer-reviewed journal. Grey literature was ineligible for this review.Data extraction and synthesisOne reviewer independently extracted data and assessed methodological quality using a checklist based on the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Quality Assessment tool. 20% were independently assessed for eligibility and quality by a second reviewer. Due to heterogeneity of the outcomes, results were narratively presented.Results3601 titles and abstracts were screened. Seventy-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Truck driving is associated with enforced sedentarism, long and irregular working hours, lack of healthy foods, social isolation and chronic time pressures. Strong evidence was observed for truck drivers to generally exhibit poor cardiometabolic risk profiles including overweight and obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, high blood glucose, poor mental health and cigarette smoking.ConclusionsImproving truck driver health is vital for the longevity of the trucking industry, and for the safety of all road users. The workplace plays a vital role in truck driver health; policies, regulations and procedures are required to address this health crisis.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019124499.

Factors Associated with Insomnia Among Truck Drivers in Japan

“…Our results were consistent with those of previous studies suggesting that the lifestyle profiles of truck drivers were worse than those of the general population. 18 Of the 2685 truck drivers in our study, 1502 (56.7%) were current smokers and 1027 (39.1%) were obese (BMI≥25). These proportions were significantly higher than those of the Japanese male general population: current smokers (29.0%) and obese (32.2%).…”

“…[15][16][17] Lifestyle of truck drivers such as smoking, drinking, enforced sedentarism, and unhealthy eating habits may also affect the quality and quantity of sleep, which is further associated with cardiovascular disease. 18,19 Truck drivers prefer to consume caffeine as a countermeasure to sleepiness at the wheel, which may in turn worsen sleep quality. 20 In addition, truck drivers are subjected to psychological distress and anxiety due to chronic time pressures, continuous absence from home, and disrespectful treatment from others.…”

Time in Nature Associated with Decreased Fatigue in UK Truck Drivers

“…Despite the well-documented health consequences associated with this occupation, this at-risk cohort remain an underserved group in terms of health promotion efforts [ 74 ]. The current paper featured drivers enrolled in the SHIFT project, which aims to address this need by supporting drivers to take steps towards achieving a healthy lifestyle [ 1 ], although spending time in nature is currently not a feature of this particular intervention. Indeed, it was observed herein that participants in the control group reported a non-significant greater frequency of spending time in nature before and during the Covid-19 pandemic than drivers within the intervention group.…”

“…Inherent health-related risk factors include prolonged periods of sedentary behaviour (sitting), low levels of habitual physical activity and unhealthy food options when working. Shift work and long and/or inconsistent working hours combine with tight delivery schedules to underpin a growing body of epidemiological evidence suggesting that HGV drivers are at high risk of developing stress and associated diseases [ 1 ]. The World Health Organization recognises the threat to health posed by stress, describing it as the ‘health epidemic of the 21st Century’ [ 2 ].…”

The effects of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (Furlough) on lifestyle health-related behaviours and mental health symptoms in a sample of UK-based truck drivers

“…Although truck drivers have been identified as an at-risk occupational group who have a higher prevalence of cardiometabolic and mental ill-health risk factors compared to other groups [3], delivery drivers were classified as a key worker group during the pandemic. Furthermore, the UK Department for Transport agreed to a temporary relaxation of the enforcement of EU drivers' hours rules in England, Scotland, and Wales during the 1st UK COVID-19 lockdown.…”