Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 37, 21000 Split, Croatia.
School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, Croatia.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Mar 3;20(5):4497. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20054497.
Seafaring is considered one of the most stressful professions. Stressors in seafaring lead to typical symptoms of stress, such as insomnia, loss of concentration, anxiety, lower tolerance of frustration, changes in eating habits, psychosomatic symptoms and diseases, and overall reduced productivity, with the possibility of burnout and chronic responsibility syndrome. It has been previously determined that seafarers belong to high-risk occupations in terms of developing metabolic syndrome, and according to their BMIs, almost 50% of all seafarers belong to the overweight and obesity categories. This is the first longitudinal study conducted with the aim of using the BIA method to determine the anthropometrical changes that occur during several weeks of continuous onboard service. This study included an observed group consisting of 63 professional seafarers with 8 to 12 weeks of continuous onboard service and a control group of 36 respondents from unrelated occupations. It was determined that Croatian seafarers fit into the current world trends regarding overweight and obesity among the seafaring population, with the following percentages in the BMI categories: underweight, 0%; normal weight, 42.86%; overweight, 39.68%; and obesity, 17.46%. It was established that the anthropometric statuses of the seafarers significantly changed during several weeks of continuous onboard service. Seafarers who served on board for 11 weeks lost 0.41 kg of muscle mass, whereas their total fat mass increased by 1.93 kg. Changes in anthropometric parameters could indicate deterioration of seafarers' health statuses.
航海被认为是压力最大的职业之一。航海中的压力源会导致典型的压力症状，如失眠、注意力不集中、焦虑、挫折容忍度降低、饮食习惯改变、身心症状和疾病以及整体生产力下降，甚至有倦怠和慢性责任综合征的风险。先前已经确定，海员在患代谢综合征方面属于高风险职业，根据他们的 BMI，几乎 50%的海员属于超重和肥胖类别。这是首次进行的一项纵向研究，旨在使用 BIA 方法来确定在数周连续船上服务期间发生的人体测量学变化。该研究包括一个观察组，由 63 名有 8 至 12 周连续船上服务的专业海员组成，对照组由 36 名来自无关职业的受访者组成。研究确定，克罗地亚海员符合当前世界上航海人口超重和肥胖的趋势，BMI 类别百分比如下：体重不足，0%；正常体重，42.86%；超重，39.68%；肥胖，17.46%。研究还发现，在数周的连续船上服务期间，海员的人体测量状况发生了显著变化。在船上服务 11 周的海员失去了 0.41 公斤的肌肉质量，而他们的总脂肪质量增加了 1.93 公斤。人体测量参数的变化可能表明海员健康状况恶化。
