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Bus Operators' Body Weight Changes During Their First 2 Years of Work: A Retrospective Survey
Ryan Olson1, Sean P M Rice, Layla R Mansfield
1Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (Dr Olson, Dr Rice, Dr Wipfli, and Dr Anger); OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Portland, Oregon (Dr Olson, Dr Wipfli, and Dr Anger); Department of Psychology, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon (Dr Olson and Dr Bodner); School of Business, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon (Dr Mansfield and Dr Bauer).
Objective:
To empirically assess retrospective reports of weight changes during bus operators' first years on the job, and to investigate experienced and desired training topics for new operators.
Methods:
Bus operators (n = 261) completed an online survey on topics of early weight changes and training experiences.
Results:
Operators reported gaining an average of 7.64 lb (SD = 16.36) during their first year. Further weight gain was not reported during the second year. Most operators reported that health-related topics were not addressed during their initial training. Stress management and healthy eating were the operators' two most desired topics to be included in their initial training.
Conclusion:
Bus operators reported medically meaningful weight gain during their first year of work and a desire for more health-related training. Objective research to document the magnitude of this hazard, and contributing working conditions, is needed.
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