Long haul truck drivers’ views on the barriers and facilitators to healthy eating and physical activity

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore truck drivers’ views toward diet, physical activity, and health care access to inform the development of a weight loss intervention. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted four focus groups via teleconference (one) or in person (three). Each focus group included eight to ten truck drivers. Sessions were digitally recorded and transcribed. The authors used thematic analysis of the participant responses to develop themes and subthemes. Findings – Truck drivers desired good health, however, many knowledge gaps were identified. Drivers were aware of some healthy foods, but lacked knowledge of appropriate energy intake and healthy weight. Drivers expressed many barriers to eating healthy food and engaging in physical activity on the road. Participants suggested strategies and resources to improve their diet and increase physical activity. Research limitations/implications – This qualitative study included a convenience sample of 30 long-haul truck drivers. Consensus of themes and subthemes was achieved by four sessions. Issues facing long-haul truck drivers may be different than other truck drivers. Additional qualitative research should be conducted along with interventions focussed on healthy behaviors that can be implemented in the mobile working environment. Originality/value – This is the first focus group study of truck drivers that targets eating and physical activity. Future weight loss intervention designs should address the lack of knowledge and skills. To succeed, interventions should implement strategies to address perceived barriers: access, time limitations, and high cost of healthy lifestyle habits.

Health initiatives to target obesity in surface transport industries: Review and implications for action

“…family commitments and responsibility) should be considered. A second individual-level factor that the majority of studies discussed was the importance of delivering health-related education to drivers in order to address prevalent knowledge gaps about healthy diet and activity found among this cohort (Meuleners and Lee 2008;Passey et al 2014). However, some studies noted that the quality of information varied, and was not always accurate or based on guidelines (ATRI 2002;Gorczynski and Patel 2014).…”

“…Four papers looked at physical activity only (Apostolopoulos et al 2012a;Gorczynski and Patel 2014;Turner and Reed 2011;Wong et al 2014). Two papers looked at diet and physical activity combined (Passey et al 2014;Whitfield-Jacobson et al 2007); one looked at diet only (Apostolopoulos et al 2011), one focused on weight control behaviours (Escoto and French 2012), and one investigated obesity more generally (Apostolopoulos et al 2012b). The literature included 13 academic studies and six from the grey literature.…”

“…For example, approaches that emphasised personal responsibility for health looked at ways to enhance motivation for change, such as messages to increase self-efficacy and confidence; targeting attitudes, health beliefs and fears; providing suggestions for generating social support; and offering strategies such as goal-setting, self-monitoring and personal feedback in order to track individual progress (ATRI 2002;Apostolopoulos et al 2012b;Bigelow et al 2014;Gorczynski and Patel 2014;Krueger et al 2007;Ng et al 2014;Passey et al 2014). The literature also recommended using strategies to overcome real or perceived barriers to adopting healthier lifestyle behaviours -either individual barriers such as high stress levels, or environmental barriers such as lack of opportunity to purchase healthy food.…”

“…The main suggestions for alterations to work environments to facilitate healthier outcomes included improvements to company cafeterias and outlets at other work sites, for example healthier menus and better food quality and pricing (Apostolopoulos et al 2012b;Whitfield-Jacobson et al 2007); increasing the use of discounted gym memberships, onsite fitness facilities, and encouragement to spend less time inside the vehicle when not driving; and reducing access to television viewing (French et al 2007;Passey et al 2014;Turner and Reed 2011). But in their investigation into physical activity in Australian bus drivers, Wong et al (2014) noted that when workplace-supported initiatives and facilities such as walking clubs and corporate gym memberships were available, many drivers still failed to use them.…”

“…Such strategies must take the driver perspective into account, and ideally be developed in consultation with the driver. Researchers also recommended that any behaviour change strategies implemented must be flexible enough to accommodate the unique settings of the workplace and job demands (McDonough et al 2014;Ng et al 2014;Passey et al 2014;TRB 2012).…”