Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference Correlates With Lifestyle and Health in Long-Haul Truck Drivers

Introduction This study examined and compared the association between body mass index (BMI) and BMI with waist circumference (WC) on lifestyle measure and health outcomes in Canadian long-haul truck drivers (LHTDs). Methods Two hundred LHTDs completed a survey on diet and physical activity, and participated in objective measures of height, weight, WC, and blood pressure. Results More than half of the sample was classified as obese (57%). Body mass index risk was significantly associated with poorer health (P < 0.05), increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, increased body fat (P < 0.001), and sleep apnea (P < 001). When BMI + WC was used, additional significant associations were observed with age, years of experience, eating breakfast, and hypertension and malignancy. Conclusion Body mass index + WC is a more sensitive measure in assessing cardiometabolic risk in LHTDs than using BMI alone.