Effects of dietary patterns on driving behaviours among professional truck drivers: the mediating effect of fatigue

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the impact of the dietary patterns of truck drivers on their driving behaviours and the mediation effect of fatigue between these factors.MethodsA sample of 389 male truck drivers from a transport company in Suzhou, China completed the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI), the Positive Driver Behaviours Scale (PDBS) and the Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ). The associations among dietary patterns, fatigue and driving behaviour were examined using pathway analysis.ResultsFour dietary patterns were identified based on principal component analysis: animal-derived foods, staple foods, snacks and vegetables. The pathway analysis showed that the vegetable-rich pattern had a direct positive impact on positive driving behaviour (β=0.211, p<0.001); the animal-derived pattern had a direct positive impact on errors (β=0.094, p<0.05) and ordinary violations (β=0.071, p<0.05); the snacks pattern had a direct negative impact on positive driving behaviour (β=−0.191, p<0.001); fatigue mediated the effect of dietary patterns on driving behaviours (p<0.001); and the staple foods had an indirect effect on driving behaviours.ConclusionsOverall, the driving behaviours of truck drivers are correlated with their dietary patterns. Drivers who preferred vegetables and staple foods had more positive driving behaviour, while the animal-derived food and snack patterns were related to dangerous driving behaviour. The experience of fatigue could explained the underlying mechanism between these factors.

A blueprint for a new commercial driving epidemiology: An emerging paradigm grounded in integrative exposome and network epistemologies

“…23 Additionally, while on the road, commercial drivers are faced with limited affordable healthful food choices as well as access to quality and affordable healthcare services. 24,25 In these health and safety risk-laden milieux, commercial drivers experience chronic and typically interrelated, excess comorbidities. Key among them are excess anxiety or depression, chronic and acute stress, obesity, cardiometabolic diseases, cancer, sleep problems and disorders, musculoskeletal risks, injuries, and fatalities.…”

“…In a labor‐intensive, time‐constrained work environment, commercial drivers experience a plethora of interrelated strains, including excess levels of: (a) psychological pressures such as stress, isolation, and related burdens 15 amidst long and irregular workshifts (up to 14 consecutive hours a day and 70 hours in an 8‐day span, when adhering to HOS rules) 16 and associated fatigue and sleep deprivation 17,18 ; (b) adverse physical, environmental, chemical, and noise exposures 19,20 ; (c) behavioral concerns such as sedentariness, limited physical activity, and ergonomic problems 21,22 ; and (d) work‐life balance and home and family pressures 23 . Additionally, while on the road, commercial drivers are faced with limited affordable healthful food choices as well as access to quality and affordable healthcare services 24,25 …”