Taxi drivers and modifiable health behaviors: Is stress associated?

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Sheena Mirpuri ◽  
Kristen Riley ◽  
Francesca Gany
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Male Population ◽  
Demographic Differences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Taxi Drivers ◽  
Metropolitan Cities

BACKGROUND: Taxi drivers, an immigrant male population, may exhibit poor health behaviors and increased health risks. OBJECTIVE: The current study examined stress and demographics as predictors of physical activity (PA), nutrition, sleep, and smoking, and the co-occurrence of these behaviors among taxi drivers. METHODS: A cross-sectional needs assessment was conducted in New York City. The sample (n = 252) was comprised of male taxi drivers, 98%of whom were born outside of the U.S., with the majority from South Asian countries (62%), and 45 years old on average (SD = 11). RESULTS: We found low rates of fruit/vegetable consumption and PA. Rates of stress, PA, and smoking varied by demographic factors. Stress was positively associated with sleep disturbances and negatively associated with smoking. Aside from a relationship between sugar consumption and smoking, other health behaviors were not associated. CONCLUSIONS: While stress appears to impact some indicators of modifiable health behaviors, its lack of relationship with others points to more persistent health issues. Demographic differences found for PA and smoking also point to groups that may especially benefit from interventions. These findings suggest the need for targeted health interventions for taxi drivers in large metropolitan cities.

Changes in Health Behaviors Associated With Weight Gain by Weight Classification During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 089011712110229
Author(s):  
Kristie Rupp ◽  
Ciarán P. Friel
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obesity Epidemic ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Online Panels

Purpose: To determine whether perceived changes (i.e. perception of engagement during the pandemic relative to pre-pandemic) in specific health behaviors differ by weight status (i.e. healthy weight, overweight, obese). Design: Cross-sectional. Recruitment took place between June-August 2020, via social media posts and Qualtrics online panels. Setting: Participants completed the survey online through the Qualtrics platform. Sample: Analyses included N = 502 participants (≥18 years); 45.2% healthy weight (n = 227), 28.5% overweight (n = 143), and 26.3% obese (n = 132). Measures: Study-specific survey items included questions about demographics and perceived changes in health behaviors. Analysis: Logistic regression models, adjusted for age, race, ethnicity, gender, education, and COVID-19 diagnosis, assessed the odds of perceiving changes in health behaviors considered a risk for weight gain. Results: Participants with obesity, but not overweight, were significantly more likely to report deleterious changes to health behaviors compared to healthy weight peers, including: (1) decreased fruit/vegetable consumption [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.92; 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.13, 3.26)]; (2) increased processed food consumption [AOR = 1.85; 95%CI: (1.15, 3.00)]; (3) increased caloric intake [AOR = 1.66; 95% CI: (1.06, 2.61)]; (4) decreased physical activity [AOR = 2.07; 95%CI: (1.31, 3.28)]; and (5) deterioration in sleep quality [AOR = 2.07; 95%CI: (1.32, 3.25)]. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that adults with obesity may be at greater risk for unhealthy behaviors during a period of prolonged social distancing, potentially exacerbating the obesity epidemic.

Limited Improvements in Health Behaviors Suggest Need to Review Approaches to Health Promotion: A Repeated, Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 155982762090937
Author(s):  
Craig M. Becker ◽  
Kerry Sewell ◽  
Hui Bian ◽  
Joseph G. L. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Time Periods

Purpose. To broadly assess changes in key health behaviors (physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, smoking, and alcohol consumption) and one outcome (body mass index) between 2001-2006 and 2011-2016. Design. Repeated cross-sectional study. Setting. The United States of America. Participants. Noninstitutionalized adults age 24 to 39 participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Analysis. We used 2-sample t tests and χ2 tests to compare differences in health behaviors between the 2 time periods. Results. Data revealed a downward trend in both moderate and vigorous physical activity (P = .00), and fruit and vegetable consumption decreased (P = .003). Cigarette smoking decreased (P = .04), and there was no substantive change in heavy drinking between the 2 time periods. Body mass index was higher in the later time period (P = .00). Conclusion. Despite sustained funding efforts, we found little evidence that health behaviors improved between the 2 time periods. Indeed, many health behaviors have remained the same or worsened over time. These findings suggest the need to reflect on the appropriateness of the health promotion approaches being used.

scholarly journals Discrimination as a social determinant of stress and health among New York City taxi drivers

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 1384-1395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheena Mirpuri ◽  
Alex Ocampo ◽  
Bharat Narang ◽  
Nicole Roberts ◽  
Francesca Gany
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
York City ◽  
Social Determinant ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Taxi Drivers ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Stress And Health ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Discrimination is associated with poorer mental and physical health outcomes. Taxi drivers have a higher risk of exposure to discrimination and higher rates of chronic conditions. A cross-sectional needs assessment was conducted with a multilingual group of 535 male taxi drivers in New York City. Drivers reporting higher discrimination were more likely to have higher perceived stress and were more likely to have anxiety/depression and chronic pain, adjusting for confounders. Workplace-based interventions designed to help drivers cope with discrimination, stress, and chronic health conditions, interventions to educate the taxi-riding public, and greater attention to these issues from administrative agencies are warranted.

scholarly journals Studying the Health and Performance of Shipboard Sailors: An Evidence Map

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily A Schmied ◽  
Robyn M Martin ◽  
Elizabeth M Harrison ◽  
Vanessa G Perez ◽  
Cynthia J Thomsen
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Evidence Map ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Military Health ◽  
Content Areas ◽  
Performance Issues ◽  
And Performance

Abstract Introduction It is estimated that sailors who are assigned to surface ships and submarines are deployed for more than 1 year across their careers and they spend 15% to 23% of their time away from home. Research suggests that shipboard sailors experience rates of behavioral health issues similar to those with ground combat experiences. Despite the rigorous operational tempo and the unique shipboard environment experienced by these service members, little military health research has examined the health outcomes of sailors serving aboard ships. The objectives of this study were to develop an evidence map of the peer-reviewed literature to (1) identify potential threats to the health and readiness of shipboard sailors, (2) identify health and performance issues experienced by this population, and (3) identify gaps in the current peer-reviewed published literature on shipboard health and performance. Materials and Methods A systematic review of the existing peer-reviewed literature pertaining to the health, experiences, and performance of shipboard service members was conducted. Comprehensive search terms were used to identify articles published between January 2000 and April 2018. Identified articles were subject to a two-level review process. Study characteristics for all articles selected for final review were extracted, and articles were categorized into 13 content areas that were selected a priori. Findings are presented in an evidence map. Results The initial literature search yielded 8,858 unique articles, 90 of which were eligible for full review. Most articles primarily examined active duty sailors from the U.S. or other foreign militaries (88.9%). A total of 60 articles (67.8%) included information about the type of ship studied; the most frequently examined were submarines (29.5%) and aircraft carriers (27.9%). Most of the included studies used cross-sectional (63.3%) or longitudinal (24.4%) designs. Only 7.8% (n = 7) of articles described interventions. The most commonly examined focal areas included physical health issues, such as viral infections and injuries (56.7%), and health behaviors, such as substance use/misuse (40.0%). Other frequently addressed content areas were occupational stress (38.9%), interpersonal issues (32.2%), ship conditions (30.0%), and mental health (28.9%). Most articles (73.3%) addressed more than one content area. There was a high degree of variation in the measurement tools used; self-report surveys were the most common (48.9%), followed by objective physical, biological, or cognitive measures (32.2%) and medical and personnel record reviews (31.1%). Conclusions The evidence map identified various gaps in the research pertaining to the health and performance of shipboard sailors. These gaps included a lack of research on the risk factors for common health and performance issues experienced by sailors and on the relationship between stressors of shipboard life and sailors’ health, performance, and readiness. The results of this evidence map should be used to inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions to improve the shipboard environment and/or the preventive health behaviors used by sailors while underway or deployed.

scholarly journals Are there socio-demographic differences in salt behaviours and fruit and vegetable consumption in Australian adults? A nationally representative cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emalie Rosewarne ◽  
Joseph Alvin Santos ◽  
Annet Hoek ◽  
Carley Grimes ◽  
Caryl Nowson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salt Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Demographic Differences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Weight Category ◽  
Nationally Representative

Abstract Background Diets low in fruit and vegetables and high in salt are among the top dietary risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In a nationally representative sample of Australians, this study aimed to describe self-reported intake of fruit and vegetables, and knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to salt intake, and determine if there were socio-demographic differences between population subgroups. Methods A 2016 cross-sectional survey of Australian adults aged 18 years and over, which comprised 160 questions, including socio-demographic, core health and research-related questions. Descriptive statistics (mean, 95% confidence interval, %) were calculated. Weighted-adjusted logistic regression models were used to determine if there were socio-demographic differences in salt behaviours and fruit and vegetable consumption. Results A total of 1217 participants completed the survey (51% female). Less than 8% of participants reported consuming the recommended 2 or more serves of fruit and 5 or more serves of vegetables. Almost 60% of participants frequently added salt during cooking/meal preparation and 42% of respondents frequently placed a salt-shaker on the table at mealtimes. There were no patterns between socio-demographic differences and measures of fruit and vegetable consumption and salt behaviours. Differences in at least one measure were found for sex, age, location, education level and weight category. Conclusions There were no patterns between socio-demographic factors and salt behaviours and fruit and vegetable intake. Less than recommended intakes of fruit and vegetables and frequent discretionary salt use are placing Australians at risk of diet-related NCDs. Policy changes to improve the food environment complimented by a nationwide consumer awareness campaign targeting all socio-demographic groups will therefore be required to improve Australian’s diets.

Job Strain and Health Behaviors: Results of a Prospective Study

1998 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 237-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Landsbergis ◽  
Peter L. Schnall ◽  
Diane K. Deitz ◽  
Katherine Warren ◽  
Thomas G. Pickering ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Job Strain ◽  
Job Characteristics ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Decision Latitude ◽  
Cross Sectional

Purpose. To assess the association between job demands, job decision latitude, and job strain (defined by Karasek as a combination of high demands and low decision latitude) and cardiovascular disease-related health behaviors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol use, lack of exercise, and overweight. Design. Cross-sectional and prospective. Setting. Nine New York City public and private sector worksites. Subjects. Two hundred eighty-five male employees, aged 30 to 60, in a wide variety of white-collar and blue-collar job titles. Measures. Medical examinations and surveys, which included demographic, health behavior, and job characteristics data. Results. Prospectively, among 189 men, increase in job decision latitude over 3 years was associated with decrease in cigarette smoking, by analysis of covariance, controlling for age, race, education, marital status, and number of children at home (F (8, 180) = 4.37, p = .005). The largest increase in latitude occurred among the 13 men who quit smoking. However, change in job characteristics was not associated with change in overweight or alcohol use. Cross-sectional analyses did not produce consistent associations. Conclusions. The effectiveness of smoking cessation may be aided by modification of structural features of the work environment, such as job decision latitude. This study is limited by the small number of subjects who were engaged in high risk behaviors.

scholarly journals Health behaviors of American pregnant women: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2007–2014

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen C Francis ◽  
Lu Zhang ◽  
Brian Witrick ◽  
Liwei Chen
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
College Education ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Usa

Abstract Background This study examined engagement in five health behaviors among pregnant women in the USA. Methods Pregnant women who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2014 were included in this study. Five health behaviors were examined: adequate fruit and vegetable consumption, prenatal multivitamin use, physical activity, sleep and smoking. Multivariable regressions were used to estimate the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval of characteristics associated with health behaviors. Results Among 248 pregnant women, only 10.2% engaged in all five health behaviors and 35.4% consumed adequate fruits and vegetables. For adequate fruit and vegetable consumption, Hispanic and women of ‘other’ race were more likely to meet the recommendation compared to non-Hispanic white (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively); high school graduates were less likely to meet the recommendation compared to those with at least some college education or more (P = 0.04). Conclusions Adequate fruit and vegetable consumption among pregnant women was poor and differed by race/ethnicity and education status. Because of the cross-sectional design, we cannot examine engagement in health behaviors continuously throughout pregnancy. Future research with longitudinal data over the course of pregnancy is needed to confirm these results.

Determinants of health behavior inequalities: a cross-sectional study from Israel

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 941-952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tevfik Bayram ◽  
Milka Donchin
Keyword(s):  
Health Behavior ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Orthodox Jews ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

Summary Health behaviors are shaped by the opportunities people have; and the choices they make according to these opportunities. Inequality in economic, cultural and social resources causes disparities in health and health behaviors. Jerusalem has a multiethnic structure, mainly made up of Jews and Arabs. Arabs and Ultra-Orthodox Jews are disadvantaged in terms of socio-economic and health indicators. The purpose of this study is to determine the factors associated with three health behaviors: physical activity (PA), fruit and vegetable consumption, and smoking. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1682 adults from a stratified sample by age, sex and neighborhood from 2011 to 2015, in accordance with the Healthy Cities project. Univariate analyses were conducted by Chi-square test of independence; and multivariate analyses by logistic regression models. Of the total population, 12% do adequate amounts of PA; 17.6% consume adequate amounts of fruits/vegetables; and 19.4% are current smokers. Multivariate analyses indicates for both genders: ethnicity/religion and education level is associated with doing PA; ethnicity/religion, education and income level is associated with fruit/vegetable consumption; and ethnicity/religion, and age is associated with smoking. However, gender significantly modifies the effect of ethnicity/religion for all the three health behaviors. Gender disparities regarding health behaviors are higher among Arabs and Ultra-Orthodox Jews. In similar economic, cultural and social circumstances, men and women have similar health behaviors; and unequal opportunity to education and income creates a vicious gender inequality cycle. Therefore, to reduce health behavior inequalities, besides economic and cultural inequalities, social and gender inequalities should also be reduced.

scholarly journals Demographics, politics, and health factors predict mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
George B. Cunningham ◽  
Calvin Nite
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
New York Times ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Determinants ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthy Behaviors

Abstract Background Wearing a protective face covering can reduce the spread of COVID-19, but Americans’ compliance with wearing a mask is uneven. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between health determinants (Health Behaviors, Clinical Care, Social and Economic Conditions, and the Physical Environment) and mask wearing at the county level. Methods Data were collected from publicly available sources, including the County Health Rankings and the New York Times. The dependent variable was the percent of county residents who reported frequently or always wearing a mask when in public. County demographics and voting patterns served as controls. Two-levels random effects regression models were used to examine the study hypotheses. Results Results indicate that, after considering the effects of the controls, Health Behaviors were positively associated with mask wearing, the Physical Environment held a negative association, and Clinical Care and Social and Behavioral Factors were unrelated. Conclusions Results indicate that patterns of healthy behaviors can help predict compliance with public health mandates that can help reduce the spread of COVID-19. From an instutitional theory perspective, the data suggest counties develop collective values and norms around health. Thus, public health officials can seek to alter governance structures and normative behaviors to improve healthy behaviors.

scholarly journals Comparisons as Predictors of People’s Beliefs about the Importance of Changing Their Health Behaviors

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Elizabeth Miller ◽  
Paul D. Windschitl ◽  
Teresa Treat ◽  
Aaron M Scherer
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Dominance Effect ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Total N ◽  
Self Assessments ◽  
Local Expert ◽  
Comparison Standards ◽  
Behavior Frequency ◽  
Local Dominance

The current study tested relative strengths of different comparison beliefs for predicting people’s self-assessments of whether they should increase their health-relevant behaviors (exercise, sleep, and fruit and vegetable consumption). Comparison beliefs relevant to three standards (perceived global, local, expert standards) were evaluated. Data were combined from three similar studies (total N = 744) that had a cross-sectional, within-subject design. Participants completed importance-of-change scales regarding the three health behaviors and reported comparison beliefs and absolute behavior frequencies/amounts. Results were consistent across the three behaviors. Comparison beliefs predicted ratings of importance of changing one’s behavior, even beyond what is predicted by reports of absolute behavior frequency. Expert comparisons were consistently most predictive above and beyond the absolute estimates and the other comparison standards. There was no evidence of a local dominance effect when examining local versus global comparisons. Comparison beliefs have unique utility for predicting people’s perceived importance of changing their heath behavior. The fact that expert comparisons were consistently most predictive (and local comparisons the least) may have implications for interventions designed for encouraging behavior change.

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