Article

Obesity prevalence among healthcare professionals in England: a cross-sectional study using the Health Survey for England

Details

Citation

Kyle RG, Wills J, Mahoney C, Hoyle L, Kelly M & Atherton IM (2017) Obesity prevalence among healthcare professionals in England: a cross-sectional study using the Health Survey for England. BMJ Open, 7 (12), Art. No.: e018498. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018498

Abstract
Objective To estimate obesity prevalence among healthcare professionals in England and compare prevalence with those working outside of the health services. Design Cross-sectional study based on data from 5 years (2008–2012) of the nationally representative Health Survey for England. Setting England. Participants 20 103 adults aged 17–65 years indicating they were economically active at the time of survey classified into four occupational groups: nurses (n=422), other healthcare professionals (n=412), unregistered care workers (n=736) and individuals employed in non-health-related occupations (n=18 533). Outcome measure Prevalence of obesity defined as body mass index ≥30.0 with 95% CIs and weighted to reflect the population. Results Obesity prevalence was high across all occupational groups including: among nurses (25.1%, 95% CI 20.9% to 29.4%); other healthcare professionals (14.4%, 95% CI 11.0% to 17.8%); non-health-related occupations (23.5%, 95% CI 22.9% to 24.1%); and unregistered care workers who had the highest prevalence of obesity (31.9%, 95% CI 28.4% to 35.3%). A logistic regression model adjusted for sociodemographic composition and survey year indicated that, compared with nurses, the odds of being obese were significantly lower for other healthcare professionals (adjusted OR (aOR) 0.52, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.75) and higher for unregistered care workers (aOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.93). There was no significant difference in obesity prevalence between nurses and people working in non-health-related occupations (aOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.18). Conclusions High obesity prevalence among nurses and unregistered care workers is concerning as it increases the risks of musculoskeletal conditions and mental health conditions that are the main causes of sickness absence in health services. Further research is required to better understand the reasons for high obesity prevalence among healthcare professionals in England to inform interventions to support individuals to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Journal
BMJ Open: Volume 7, Issue 12

StatusPublished
FundersBurdett Trust for Nursing, Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Nursing Foundation and C3 Collaborating for Health
Publication date31/12/2017
Publication date online04/12/2017
Date accepted by journal20/09/2017
URLhttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/27902
PublisherBMJ
eISSN2044-6055

People (1)

Dr Louise Hoyle

Dr Louise Hoyle

Senior Lecturer in Nursing, Health Sciences Stirling