An Analysis of the Correlation between Health-related Habits and the Biochemical Characteristics of the Blood of Bus Drivers in the Masan Area / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study investigated the correlation between health-related habits and the biochemical characteristics of the blood of Korean bus drivers. A total of 178 bus drivers working in the Masan area participated in this study. The general characteristics and health-related habits of the subjects were surveyed using a serf-administered questionnaire. The biochemical date were collected from regular health check-ups done through their workshop health insurance company in lune, 1999. The results were as follows : The average age of the subjects was 38 years, and 44.2% had a driving career of between 10 and 19 years. About 90% of the subjects ate irregularly, and 36% ate. health floods. Their rates of drinking, smoking and exercise were 74.6%, 83.6% and 70.8%, respectively. Their frequency of drinking was significantly increased as the length of their driving career increased (p<0.001). Their levels of total serum cholesterol, in relation to the length of their driving career was significantly higher in the over 20 year group than in the below 10 year group (p<0.05). Their systolic blood pressures, according to age, were significantly higher in the 51 to 60 age group than in the other groups (p<0.05). Their total um cholesterol levels signiscantly increased with increasing age (p<0.001). Their diastolic blood pressures (p<0.001) and blood glucose levels (p<0.05) were significantly higher among the subjects who drinking alcohol almost everyday, than among other subjects. Their systolic blood pressures who significantly increased with increasing frequency of their drinking (p<0.001). The systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were positively related to age, the amount of drinking, the frequency of drinking and the obesity index, and negatively related to exercise and the duration of exercise. The hemoglobin was positively related to age, preference for a meat diet and the obesity index. The blood glucose was positively related to the amount of drinking, and the total serum cholesterol was positively related to age, length of driving career, period of smoking and the obesity index. The results of this study indicated that bus drivers need regular exercise, moderation of their drinking and smoking, and control of their body weights so as to prevent chronic diseases.

A Study on the Health and Nutritional Status of Bus Drivers in the Masan Area / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was carried out on 178 bus drivers in the Masan area to investigate their health and nutritional status. THe nutritional status of the subjects was surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire, and blood analyses were conducted through annual health examinations in June, 1999. The results were as follows: About 51% were classified as normal, 33% as health-concerned, and 17% as disease-suspected. The levels of total serum cholesterol were significantly higher in the over 20 year group (194.64 +/- 41.42 mg/dl) than in the under 10 year group (175.00 +/- 31.33 mg/dl) with respect to the length of their driving careers. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly higher in the 51 to 60 age group than in the other groups (p < 0.05). The total serum cholesterol increased with increasing age (p < 0.001), and SBP increased with increasing Body Mass Index (BMI)(p < 0.001). Diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (p < 0.01), hemoglobin (p < 0.05)and glutamate-pyruvate-aminotransferase (GPT)(p < 0.05) were significantly higher in the BMI of over 20, than in the BMI under 20. The GPT was significantly higher in the BMI over 25 than in the BMI under 25. In The mean daily energy intake was 1912.7 kcal (76.5% of the RDA) and the protein intake was 74.3 g (106.2% of the RDA). Compared with the recommended allowance, the energy, calcium, thiamin, and riboflavin intakes were below, and the Fe, vitamin A, vitamin C intakes were above the Korean RDA. The average carbohydrate, protein, fat ratio of energy intake was 66 : 15 : 19, respectively. The length of their driving careers had a positive correlation with their ages and total serum cholesterol levels, and their ages had a positive correlation with their blood pressures, total serum cholesterol and hemoglobin levels and BMI. Their BMI had a positive correlation with their ages, blood pressures, total serum cholesterol, hemoglobin, GPT and GOT levels. The results of this study indicate that bus drivers needed regular exercise, and control of their body weights to prevent chronic diseases, and that their health status should be monitored as the length of their driving careers and ages increase.