Lifestyle counseling in overweight truck and bus drivers : Effects on dietary patterns and physical activity

摘要

We studied dietary patterns, physical activity (PA), and monthly goal setting in a weight reduction interventionin long-distance professional drivers. The study was conducted in Finland in 2009–2012. Male drivers with waistcircumference N100 cm were randomized to a lifestyle counseling (LIFE, N = 55) and a reference (REF, N = 58)group. During 12 months, LIFE participated in 6 face-to-face and 7 telephone counseling sessions on diet and PA.Dietary patterns were assessed using an index combining food diary and counselor interview, and PA with thenumber of daily steps using a pedometer. Monthly lifestyle goals, perceived facilitators and barriers, and adverseeffects of PA in the LIFE participants were monitored using counselors' log books. Forty-seven (85%) LIFE participantscompleted the 12-month program. After 12 months, the mean dietary index score improved by 12% (p =0.002, N = 24), and the number of daily steps increased by 1811 steps (median; p = 0.01, N = 22). The mostfrequent dietary goals dealt with meal frequency, plate model, and intake of vegetables, fruits, and berries. Themost common PA mode was walking. Typical facilitators to reach monthly lifestyle goals were support from familyand friends and ailment prevention; typical barriers were working schedules and ailments. Adverse effects,most commonly musculoskeletal pain, occurred among 83% of the LIFE participants. Positive changes in lifestylehabits were observed during counseling. Monthly lifestyle counseling combining face-to-face and phone contactsseemed appropriate to long-distance drivers. Barriers for reaching lifestyle changes, and adverse effects of PAwere common and need to be addressed when planning counseling.