title: Lifestyle counseling in overweight truck and bus drivers - Effects on dietary patterns and physical activity.
abstract: We studied dietary patterns, physical activity (PA), and monthly goal setting in a weight reduction intervention in long-distance professional drivers. The study was conducted in Finland in 2009-2012. Male drivers with waist circumference > 100 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 the number of daily steps using a pedometer. Monthly lifestyle goals, perceived facilitators and barriers, and adverse effects of PA in the LIFE participants were monitored using counselors' log books. Forty-seven (85%) LIFE participants completed 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 most frequent dietary goals dealt with meal frequency, plate model, and intake of vegetables, fruits, and berries. The most common PA mode was walking. Typical facilitators to reach monthly lifestyle goals were support from family and 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 lifestyle habits were observed during counseling. Monthly lifestyle counseling combining face-to-face and phone contacts seemed appropriate to long-distance drivers. Barriers for reaching lifestyle changes, and adverse effects of PA were common and need to be addressed when planning counseling.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Clinical Trials NCT00893646.
authors: UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Tampere, Finland.
authors: Jatta
authors: J
authors: Puhkala
authors: UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Tampere, Finland.
authors: Katriina
authors: K
authors: Kukkonen-Harjula
authors: UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Tampere, Finland.
authors: Minna
authors: M
authors: Aittasalo
authors: UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Tampere, Finland; Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Tampere, Finland.
authors: Kirsi
authors: K
authors: Mansikkamäki
authors: Vitalmed Sleep Clinic and Research Centre, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Markku
authors: M
authors: Partinen
authors: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Christer
authors: C
authors: Hublin
authors: Rehabilitation, South Karelia, Social and Health Care District, Lappeenranta, Finland.
authors: Paula
authors: P
authors: Kärmeniemi
authors: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland; Agora Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
authors: Mikael
authors: M
authors: Sallinen
authors: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Seppo
authors: S
authors: Olkkonen
authors: UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Tampere, Finland; School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
authors: Kari
authors: K
authors: Tokola
authors: UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Tampere, Finland.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Ojala
authors: School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
authors: Clas-Håkan
authors: CH
authors: Nygård
authors: Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Mikael
authors: M
authors: Fogelholm
keywords: Automobile driving; BMI, body mass index; Counseling; Diet; LIFE, lifestyle counseling group; Male, life style; PA, physical activity; REF, reference group (control); Walking