Supporting South Asian Taxi Drivers to Exercise through Pedometers (SSTEP) to Decrease Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Abstract

There is considerable evidence demonstrating the positive impact of pedometers and walking programs for increasing physical activity and reducing risk for cardiovascular disease among diverse populations. However, no interventions have been targeted towards South Asian taxi drivers, a population that may be at high risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Supporting South Asian Taxi Drivers to Exercise through Pedometers (SSTEP) was a 12-week pilot study among South Asian taxi drivers to increase their daily step counts. SSTEP assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact of an exercise intervention employing pedometers, a step diary, written materials, and telephone follow-up to initiate or increase physical activity in this at-risk occupational group. Seventy-four drivers were recruited to participate at sites frequented by South Asian taxi drivers. Participant inclusion criteria were: (1) age 18 or over; (2) birthplace in India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh; (3) fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, or Bengali; and (4) intention to remain in New York City for the 3-month study period. Comprehensive intake and exit questionnaires were administered to participants in their preferred languages. Intake and exit health screenings, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose were completed. Daily step counts were obtained 4 days after recruitment, and at the 4-, 8-, and 12-week mark via phone calls. To measure the impact of the intervention, step counts, blood pressure, cholesterol, and body mass index were compared at intake and exit. Participants in SSTEP were sedentary at baseline. The SSTEP intervention resulted in a small increase in step counts among participants overall, and in a significant increase (92,000 steps) among a subset ("Bigsteppers"). Drivers with higher baseline glucose values had significantly greater improvements in their step counts. Focused lifestyle interventions for drivers at high risk for cardiovascular disease may be particularly impactful.

An Updated Review of Interventions that Include Promotion of Physical Activity for Adult Men

“…Although some programs were offered to both men and women ( n = 11), the majority were men-only programs ( n = 20). Programs offered opportunities for structured/supervised physical activity in group sessions (usually combined with recommendations that participants complete additional physical activity individually) [ 34 , 35 , 38 , 43 , 45 , 46 , 48 , 49 , 53 , 54 , 57 , 61 , 64 , 67 , 70 ], in individual, face-to-face sessions (e.g., with a personal trainer) [ 62 , 63 ], or simply encouraged participants to exercise on their own [ 39 – 42 , 44 , 47 , 50 – 52 , 55 , 56 , 58 – 60 , 65 , 66 , 68 , 69 ].…”

“…The programs included in this review were based on various physical activity recommendations. For example, some programs encouraged participants to engage in 30 min of physical activity per day [ 41 , 57 , 67 , 68 ], whereas in others participants were asked to increase their step count to 10,000 per day [ 42 , 44 , 52 , 56 ] or aim for 10 miles of fast walking or jogging per week [ 64 ]. All programs focused on increasing cardiovascular or aerobic physical activity, and a few also included strength-building exercises [ 34 , 45 – 47 , 55 , 57 , 70 ].…”

“…Most consistent improvements were seen in the walking group, who scored worse than the walk/running and running groups pre-intervention. Participants appropriately self-selected PA programs suited to their ability Gany et al [ 56 ] Pre-post pilot study 74 South Asia taxi drivers 30–79 years United States No Male-only sample Individual-based Paper-based Telephone-based Daily step counts, SBP, DBP, LDL-C, HDL-C, blood glucose, and BMI Supporting South Asian Taxi Drivers to Exercise through Pedometers (SSTEP; included pedometers, written materials and a logbook for tracking steps along with telephone follow-up) 12 weeks Changes in PA: Yes. Participants in SSTEP program increased their daily steps from baseline Other outcomes: No significant changes in any of the secondary measures.…”

Step On It! Workplace Cardiovascular Risk Assessment of New York City Yellow Taxi Drivers

“…Such studies should also be held at different times throughout the year, as risks and responses to survey questions may be dependent on season and weather, i.e. drivers may be more sedentary in colder weather, 76 and the effects of air pollution may also vary depending on season, if drivers' windows are open or closed, and if air conditioning is used. 77 …”

New York City Taxi Drivers’ Knowledge and Perceptions of the Affordable Care Act

“…The questionnaire was developed by the Immigrant Health and Cancer Disparities (IHCD) Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), and was informed by IHCD’s prior work with the NYC taxi community. (10; 12) The areas of inquiry included demographic, occupational, and health care and insurance access questions, self-reported health status and health behaviors, and knowledge about the ACA. Trained bi-lingual research staff recruited respondents from multiple occupational sites and community settings, including an airport holding lot, taxi garages, livery car bases, gas stations, driver-frequented restaurants, relief stands, and community and religious organizations.…”