Eating behaviour and weight development of European and Asian seafarers during stay on board and at home

Abstract

Background Food choices on board merchant ships are limited and seafarers repeatedly described as being at high risk of developing overweight compared to the general population. Up to date, research has not distinguished whether seafarers gain weight on board or at home and whether eating habits differ in both settings. Methods As part of the e-healthy ship project, cross-sectional data were collected in two different measurements. In the first investigation on board of three merchant ships of German shipping companies, differences in eating behaviour at home compared to on board ships were assessed for 18 Burmese, 26 Filipino and 20 European seafarers. In a second study, BMI, weight development and location of body weight change of 543 Filipino and 277 European seafarers were examined using an online questionnaire on 68 ships. Results According to the board examinations, foods and beverages consumed on merchant ships varied widely from seafarers’ diets in their home country. Burmese, Filipino and European seafarers equally reported to consume more fruit (z = 4.95, p < .001, r = .62) and vegetables (z = 6.21, p < .001, r = .79), but less coke (z = −5.00, p < .001, r = .76) when at home. Furthermore, culturally different changes were found across all other foods and beverages. The online questionnaire revealed that 45.8% of seafarers were overweight (55.4% Europeans vs. 40.8% Filipinos, p < .001) and 9.8% obese. Moreover, a higher percentage of Europeans compared to Filipinos reported weight gain over the course of their professional career (50.2% vs. 40.7%, p = .007). A sub-analysis of seafarers with weight gain found that more Europeans than Filipinos gained weight at home (43.9% vs. 23.1%, p < .001). Conclusions Both, home and working on board merchant ships, represent very different living environments which may affect seafarers’ lifestyle and eating habits in various ways and thus could favour or inhibit weight gain. From our results, it appears that the body weight and eating habits of Asian seafarers in particular are adversely affected by the working and living conditions on board. Further prospective studies are required to prove this hypothesis.

The Magnitude of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Seafarers from 1994 to 2021: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The remaining 35 full-text articles were evaluated. Among the 35 full-text papers reviewed, 21 studies with 145,913 study participants met the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis [ 9 , 10 , 17 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ]. Figure 1 shows the entire process of finding, selecting, and including studies ( Figure 1 ).…”

“…Overall, twelve studies reporting the overweight prevalence with a total of 136,710 participants were selected for the meta-analysis [ 10 , 17 , 37 , 38 , 41 , 42 , 44 , 46 , 48 , 51 , 53 , 54 ]. In selected studies, the prevalence of overweight varied from 28.09% [ 42 ] to 51.51% [ 10 ].…”

“…We included 12 studies reporting data on obesity in the present meta-analysis, with a total of 136,710 subjects [ 10 , 17 , 37 , 38 , 41 , 42 , 44 , 46 , 48 , 51 , 53 , 54 ]. In selected studies, obesity prevalence varied widely, ranging from 8.55% [ 48 ] to 61.08% [ 42 ].…”

Sleep Architecture and Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders of Seafarers on Board Merchant Ships: A Polysomnographic Pilot Field Study on the High Seas

“…In this context, it should also be considered that, for example, an increased BMI (which in our collective was >30 on average) is also associated with short sleep periods, as studies showed a consistent relationship between short sleep duration and higher total energy as well as fat intake [ 40 ]. In a study by Neumann et al [ 41 ], 43.9% of seafarers stated that they had gained weight since practicing this profession. Therefore, the codependence of lifestyle and sleep parameters should also be investigated in future studies.…”

Screening for type 2 diabetes and hypertension in seafarers’ medical examinations

“…Shipping companies, seafarers, and maritime medical doctors will develop, and pilot test the "Green Ship" health promotion for all on board. The German e-healthy ship is an example of an inspiring new-thinking in this area [50,51,53]. Health promotion protocols for hypertension and diabetes with non-pharmacological and/or pharmacological management will be developed.…”