Occupational factors associated with obesity and leisure-time physical activity among nurses: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Background and objective Adverse working conditions contribute to obesity and physical inactivity. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of occupational factors with obesity and leisure-time physical activity among nurses. Methods This study used cross-sectional data of 394 nurses (mean age 48 years, 91% females, 61% white) randomly selected from the California Board of Registered Nursing list. Data on demographic and employment characteristics, musculoskeletal symptom comorbidity, physical and psychosocial occupational factors, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity were collected using postal and on-line surveys from January to July in 2013. Results Of the participants, 31% were overweight and 18% were obese; 41% engaged in regular aerobic physical activity (≥150 min/week) and 57% performed regular muscle-strengthening activity (≥2 days/week). In multivariable logistic regression models, overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) was significantly more common among nurse managers/supervisors (OR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.16–5.59) and nurses who worked full-time (OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.29–3.70) or worked ≥40 h per week (OR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.58–4.05). Regular aerobic physical activity was significantly associated with high job demand (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.06–2.51). Nurses with passive jobs (low job demand combined with low job control) were significantly less likely to perform aerobic physical activity (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.26–0.93). Regular muscle-strengthening physical activity was significantly less common among nurses working on non-day shifts (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.34–0.89). Physical workload was not associated with obesity and physical activity. Conclusions Our study findings suggest that occupational factors significantly contribute to obesity and physical inactivity among nurses. Occupational characteristics in the work environment should be considered in designing effective workplace health promotion programs targeting physical activity and obesity among nurses.

Effectiveness of workplace exercise supervised by a physical therapist among nurses conducting shift work: A randomized controlled trial

“…Nurses are prone to lack of exercise, particularly those who engage in shift work 19) . This study showed the significant effectiveness of exercise intervention supervised by a PT who is working at the same hospital.…”

Estresse Ocupacional E Fatores Associados Entre Enfermeiros De Hospitais Públicos

“…A adoção desse perfil salutar pode estar associada ao fato de esses profissionais conhecerem os efeitos prejudiciais do sedentarismo e das substâncias psicoativas nos níveis biopsicossociais, que incluem: obesidade, diabetes mellitus, doenças cardiovasculares, depressão, distúrbios do sono, dependência de substâncias, entre outras (17) .…”

“…Essa condição é considerada próxima da ideal, pois, por não desenvolveram longas jornadas laborais, mantêm os níveis de alerta, diminuindo os riscos de eventos adversos, acidentes de trabalho, absenteísmo e presenteísmo, exaustão laboral e doenças de natureza mental que, por sua vez, são causas importantes de incapacidade permanente (17)(18) . Entretanto, tais aspectos negativos podem ocorrer com os 48(25,9%) enfermeiros desta amostra que indicaram duplo vínculo e que desenvolviam uma jornada semanal de trabalho média de 69,4 horas, com variação de 50 a 84 horas.…”

Building expert agreement on the importance and feasibility of workplace health promotion interventions for nurses and midwives: A modified Delphi consultation

“…Low rates of leisure time physical activity are reported among timepoor nurses, particularly those shift-working and with home-care responsibilities (Chin, Nam, & Lee, 2016;Peplonska, Bukowska, & Sobala, 2014).…”

“…High rates of overweight and obesity have been attributed, in part, to unhealthy eating environments and ward cultures (Nicholls, Perry, Duffield, Gallagher, & Pierce, ; Perry, Gallagher, et al., ). Low rates of leisure time physical activity are reported among time‐poor nurses, particularly those shift‐working and with home‐care responsibilities (Chin, Nam, & Lee, ; Peplonska, Bukowska, & Sobala, ).…”