Obesity as a Risk Factor for Hypertension and Diabetes among Truck Drivers in a Logistics Company, South Africa

Abstract

Despite the occupational nature of truckers predisposing them to cardiovascular diseases and risk factors, data is scarce on their prevalence of obesity and its association with developing hypertension (HBP) and diabetes in South Africa. Extracted from the original cross-sectional study of a sample of 312 employees in a logistics company, a census of 96 male truckers was used to determine the prevalence of obesity and its association with HBP and diabetes. WHO STEPwise approach was used to collect data, including systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure and anthropometry measurements. HBP is defined as SBP/DBP ≥ 140/90 mmHg, overweight/obesity as BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, abdominal obesity by waist circumference as WC ≥ 90cm, waist-to-hip-ratio as WHR ≥ 0.90, and waist-to-height ratio as WHtR ≥ 0.5. Data were analysed using SPSS 22. The mean age of truckers was 46 years, 29% were smokers, and 57% alcohol users, while 26% were physically inactive. The prevalence of overweight (44%) and obesity (30%) were observed, while abdominal obesity was high; WC (59%), WHR (65%), and WHtR (80%). HBP (57%) was prevalent and diabetes was 14%. The odds of developing HBP were high for obese truckers by WC [AOR = 4.68; CI = 1.92–11.34)] and by WHtR [AOR = 5.49 CI = 1.74–17.27), while diabetes was associated with WHR (AOR = 1.19; CI = 1.19–31.21). This study showed an associative link between obesity, HBP, and diabetes among the truckers, which is informative for a relevant prevention programme tailored to their needs.