Obesity Truck driver

a volvo fh12 truck.

lack of exercise contributing factor obesity epidemic in truck driver population. 90% of truck drivers exercise or never , 8% exercise regularly. largely determined long work hours , tight deadlines, adoption of sedentary lifestyle , lack of place exercise. though fitness resources available truckers, scarce. available areas truck stops, highway rest areas, trucking terminals, warehouses, , truck cab. however, there many parking restrictions , safety concerns in trying incorporate exercise daily routine.

studies have found risk of obesity increases in high demand, low control jobs, , more in jobs long work hours; truck driving industry falls under these categories. also, daytime sleepiness , night disturbances associated obesity, , are, therefore, common among truck drivers. long haul drivers have tight schedules, tend drive longer , less sleep. u.s. department of transportation (dot) federal motor carrier safety administration (fmcsa) have hours of service (hos) regulations. under old rule, drivers work 82 hours in 7 days. these regulations modified in 2011; new rule permits drivers work 70 hours in 7 days. there 11-hour-per-day limit 10 hours off required after weekly shift. fines companies allow work beyond 11 hours $11,000 , drivers $2,750. though these fines exist, there minimal enforcement of law.

obesity prevalence affected access care truckers. company drivers have issues insurance, such necessary pre-approval if out of network. owner-operator drivers not have kind of medical insurance (that is, in usa medical treatment isn t free of charge countries). moreover, truckers have difficulties making appointment on road , not know stop assistance. many self-diagnose or ignore health issue altogether. able seen @ doctor’s offices or private clinics while large percentage depend on emergency rooms , urgent care visits. department of transportation has convenient care clinics across u.s., hard find , few , far between. health care costs substantially higher overweight , obese individuals, obesity in truck driver population puts greater financial demand on industry.