Ruettger Katharina B, Stamp Elizabeth, King James A, Clemes Stacy A
School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom.
NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and the University of Leicester, United Kingdom.
Saf Health Work. 2025 Mar;16(1):75-82. doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2024.12.001. Epub 2025 Jan 3.
The working environment of truck drivers promotes unhealthy lifestyle behaviours including physical inactivity and poor dietary choices. This leads to high levels of chronic diseases and a reduced life expectancy compared to other occupational groups. However, little is known about how drivers in the UK perceive their working environment and how this affects their food choices. This study aimed to gain a better understanding of long-haul (8-10-hour shifts) truck drivers' needs regarding healthy food choices whilst on the road to better inform future health promotion programmes and policy needs.
Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, allowing an in-depth exploration of truck drivers' experiences. The interview guide was grounded within the COM-B model and theoretical domains framework. Audio recordings were anonymised and transcribed verbatim and data analysed using thematic analysis.
Ten drivers (8 male) were interviewed with a mean age of 49 years (SD 9.7). Frequently mentioned barriers to healthy eating were limited availability of affordable healthy food options at truck stops, food storage limitations, and limited time for food preparation. Commonly reported facilitators to improve drivers' diet were flexible break times, shorter shifts, secure parking places and/or better-equipped vehicles.
Limited availability of healthy food options, high costs, poor facilities within rest areas, long working hours/shifts, and lack of food storage and preparation time, negatively impacts UK truck drivers' eating behaviours. This study highlights that multi-component interventions targeting the individual, environment and policy, are ultimately needed to improve truck drivers' working conditions and health.
卡车司机的工作环境助长了不健康的生活方式行为，包括缺乏身体活动和不良的饮食选择。与其他职业群体相比，这导致了高发病率的慢性病和预期寿命的降低。然而，对于英国的司机如何看待他们的工作环境以及这如何影响他们的食物选择，人们知之甚少。本研究旨在更好地了解长途（8 - 10小时轮班）卡车司机在途中对健康食物选择的需求，以便为未来的健康促进计划和政策需求提供更充分的信息。
进行了个人半结构化访谈，以深入探讨卡车司机的经历。访谈指南基于COM - B模型和理论领域框架。对录音进行匿名处理并逐字转录，使用主题分析对数据进行分析。
采访了10名司机（8名男性），平均年龄为49岁（标准差9.7）。经常提到的健康饮食障碍包括卡车停靠站可负担得起的健康食物选择有限、食物储存限制以及食物准备时间有限。普遍报告的有助于改善司机饮食的因素包括灵活的休息时间、更短的轮班、安全的停车位和/或设备更好的车辆。
健康食物选择有限、成本高、休息区内设施差、工作时间/轮班长以及缺乏食物储存和准备时间，对英国卡车司机的饮食行为产生了负面影响。本研究强调，最终需要针对个人、环境和政策的多成分干预措施，以改善卡车司机的工作条件和健康状况。
