Do truck drivers have poor health?

A recent study found that truck drivers were substantially more likely to experience obesity, self-reported high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and sleep disorders than the general population.

What kind of health problems do truck drivers have?

Is it unhealthy to be a truck driver?

The answer is an emphatic yes. Every time a truck driver gets behind the wheel, he or she is at risk. In fact, of the top 25 deadliest occupations in America, truck driving ranks seventh on the list. Truck drivers also face the highest number of fatalities of any job, at a rate of 918 fatalities each year.

Why are truck drivers unhealthy?

Drivers remain sedentary for long periods of time and lack of quality food options provide for poor nutrition and diet. Over 80 percent of drivers report unhealthy eating habits, which consist of fast food, high sodium content, and no fruits or vegetables (Brewster June 2007).

Is being a truck driver healthy?

Life on the road for a truck driver can become an all consuming lifestyle. Sadly, this lifestyle often reflects a lack of care for one's own health. Truck drivers on average due to their lifestyle, statistically have more health problems and shorter life spans than people in other careers.

Truck Driver Health: Mayo Clinic Radio

Is Trucking hard on the body?

Truckers also face greater incidence of the musculoskeletal problems that accompany excessive sitting. These include back and shoulder pain, arthritis and more. Prolonged sitting also increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis, which happens when a blood clot forms in a deep vein.

What is the life expectancy of a truck driver?

2 Fast Lane blog: "According to the (CDC), the average life expectancy for a commercial truck driver is 61 years.

What does driving all day do to your body?

The health risks of long distance driving

Air pollution, lack of physical activity and driving fatigue can all lead to oxygen deficiency which can cause dizziness, fatigue and headaches. That means organs like your lungs, heart and brain aren't getting the necessary amount of oxygen to function at peak performance.

Why do truck drivers get fat?

"For most drivers, the reason why they're overweight or obese has a lot to do with their metabolism, which is related to their sleep cycles, circadian rhythms, accumulated sleep debt and stress," Baleka contends.

How do truck drivers stay fit?

Go for a walk during your off-duty hours. Some truck stops including TA Petro locations offer walking trails just for truckers. Others, like Pilot Flying J truck stops, offers a health and wellness program and over 600 travel center gyms nationwide, to help you stay healthy on the road.

How do truck drivers stay skinny?

How do I get rid of my truck belly?

Among the best ways include going for a walk, substituting snacks for vegetables, drinking water instead of coffee or soft drinks, eating grilled foods instead of fried or greasy options and eating smaller portions. Walking: One of the easiest ways drivers can stay fit on the road is to walk a mile whenever they stop.

Are most truck drivers overweight?

A recent report by the New York Times cited a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association that found 86 percent of the estimated 3.2 million truck drivers in America are obese.

Can driving cause health issues?

Results. Findings suggested that longer driving time was associated with higher odds for smoking, insufficient physical activity, short sleep, obesity, and worse physical and mental health.

Is driving harmful for health?

Driving leads to stress

Especially driving for long hours in traffic can contribute even more to stress. People who drive for long hours are advised to incorporate some form of stress management in their routine to reduce risk of cancer, heart diseases and other health issues associated with high stress.

Does truck driving cause erectile dysfunction?

As if life on the road is not tough enough, some of the same chronic health conditions that contribute to truckers' quality of life may also cause impotence and/or difficulties with erections.

Do truck drivers have lower life expectancy?

Being in the truck driving profession contributes to a shorter lifespan for truck drivers - shorter than for others in other occupations. In fact, it has been said a truck driver's life span can have as much as 16 years cut off of a normal life expectancy as compared to others.

Do truckers age faster?

How “Truck Driver Face” Develops. As you drive a truck day after day, the right side of your face will be mostly shielded from the sun as the left begins to see frequent, if not constant, sun exposure. This leads to your left side aging more quickly, with signs of thickening skin, thick wrinkles, and premature aging.

Why do truck drivers quit?

There are many individuals with the training and skills needed to fill these truck driving job positions. But due to low pay and less than desirable working conditions, many are leaving the industry, in search of a better career.

Do truck drivers have kidney problems?

Some of the other conditions included in the list of 25 that must be self-reported by truckers include: Kidney problems. This includes—but is not limited to—kidney stones, painful urination, problems with urination.

Do all truck drivers get fat?

Many truck drivers find themselves gaining unwanted weight due to the sedentary lifestyle of their work and lack of healthy food options on the road. Statistics from the National Institute of Health show that more than 50 percent of truck drivers are obese compared to the national rate of 26.7 percent.

How do truck drivers not get fat?

Can truck drivers be skinny?

It Is Possible For Truckers To Lose Weight

There are plenty of healthy foods out there. Some days are more difficult than others, but if you look hard enough, you can almost always find something at the truck stop that is low enough in calories.

Can truck drivers go to the gym?

Gyms are great places to work out and access a variety of exercise equipment at a relatively low cost. Most gyms even offer showers and other amenities that can help truck drivers stay healthy, fit and feeling their best.

How many calories does a truck driver burn in a day?

The average truck driver burns around 1,975 calories per day.