Truckers informed to ditch chocolate bars and train at service stations as an alternative
Truckers should be tempted to put down their Yorkie bars and hit the gym at service stations.
Scientists have found that telling lorry drivers what to do falls on deaf ears.
But putting gym equipment at truck stops for them to use on breaks will help them improve their health.
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Researchers at the University of South Australia studied 2,000 truckers in Britain, America and Oz and found encouraging them to set goals, counselling, motivational work and health education had no effect.
Only the promotion of more activity and eating more fresh fruit and veg showed promise.
Now they say adding exercise equipment to service stations would help the shift-working drivers who have little spare time to go after work.
In the UK the industry is vital making £127 billion a year. Yet drivers have the highest rates of chronic diseases, obesity and occupational injuries.
Almost a third of drivers have three or more medical conditions, four times the average, half are obese and one in five drivers under the age of 35 say they suffer severe levels of psychological distress.
The university’s Dr Rosa Virgara said drivers needed to be supported.
She said: “Truck drivers are the beating heart of the economy. They drive thousands of miles every day to ensure the safe delivery of everything we use in daily life, but when it comes to their own health and wellbeing, there’s a lot lacking.
“Whether it’s long hours, shift-work, poor diet or inactivity, the health risks associated with the truck driver occupation are significant and varied.
“As a result, truck drivers have some of the highest rates of poor physical activity and other chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, high BMI/obesity, depression, and back pain which impacts their ability to lead healthy lives.”
“Strategies such as providing balanced and healthy subsidised lunches to truck drivers, as well as creating and upkeeping places for exercise during a rest break, could be a starting point in integrating health interventions into their working lives.”
She added health professionals had to work with truckers to improve their lives.
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