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Occupational factors associated with obesity and leisure-time physical activity among nurses: A cross sectional study Dal Lae Chin a, Soohyun Nam b, Soo-Jeong Lee a 田Show more https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2016.01.009 Get rights and content 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 (2150 min/week) and 57% performed regular muscle-strengthening activity (22 days/week). In multivariable logistic regression models, overweight/obesity (BMI 2 25 kg/m-) 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

Answer 1

The study was aimed to assess the occupational factors associated with obesity and the physical inactivity among nurses. Around 394 registered nurse under California Board were participated in this study. The data of demographic, employment, musculoskeletal comorbidity, BMI, physical activity, physical factors, psychosocial occupational factors were collected through online and postal surveys for a period of seven months. A research design of the cross-sectional study was used in this study. The results show 31% are overweight, 18% obese and are most commonly seen in nursing supervisors, managers, and nurse who work more than 40 hours per week. 41% were involved in regular physical activity who is in high job demand. Muscle strengthening activity is less common in low job demand nurses and non-day shift workers. The study was not discussed about the bias and limitations in the occupational factors and physical activity. The age criteria are also not mentioned which become the barrier for obesity and physical activity. Sex, age, duration of exercise all contribute to variation in the physical activity.