title: Health behaviors of Operating Engineers.
abstract: Operating Engineers (heavy equipment operators in construction) may be at particular risk for heart disease and cancer related to their exposure to environmental dust and smoking, the sedentary nature of their job, and long hours of exposure to the sun. The aim of this study was to characterize the health behaviors of Operating Engineers. This cross-sectional survey from a convenience sample of Operating Engineers (N = 498) used validated instruments to measure smoking, drinking, diet, exercise, sleep, and sun exposure. Univariate and bivariate analyses to detect differences by age were conducted. The sample scored significantly worse on all five health behaviors compared to population norms. Those who were older were less likely to smoke and chew tobacco and more likely to eat fruits and vegetables. Many were interested in services to improve their health behaviors. Health behavior interventions are needed and wanted by Operating Engineers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0482, USA. bump@umich.edu
authors.forename: Sonia A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Duffy
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Missel
authors.forename: Andrea H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Waltje
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Ronis
authors.forename: Karen E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: OiSaeng
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004738:Engineering; D005160:Facility Design and Construction / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D055815:Young Adult