Job stress and work schedules in relation to nurse obesity.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to examine the relationship between job stress/work schedules (JS/WS) and obesity among nurses.


BACKGROUND
Job stress and shift work are known risk factors for obesity, yet comprehensive measures of JS/WS in relation to nurse obesity have been little investigated.


METHODS
Secondary data analysis used survey data from 2,103 female nurses. Obesity was measured using body mass index estimates. Binomial logistic regression models incorporated independent components of JS/WS and adjusted for demographics, nursing position, mental/emotional distress, health behaviors, and family-related covariates.


RESULTS
Approximately 55% of the sample was overweight/obese (OW/OB). When compared with underweight/normal weight nurses, OW/OB nurses reported that their jobs had less physical exertion (odds ratio [OR] = 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.72-0.95, P = .01) and more limited movement (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.02-1.28, P = .03). Long work hours (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.08-1.40, P < .01) were significantly associated with being OW/OB as compared with underweight/normal.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest interventions to limit adverse work schedules. Access to healthy food and optimal meal breaks should be investigated.
School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201-1579, USA.
Kihye
K
Han
Alison M
AM
Trinkoff
Carla L
CL
Storr
Jeanne
J
Geiger-Brown
D015992:Body Mass Index; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology