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Diet of proffesional drivers from the perspective of nutrition therapist
KARÁSEK, Jiří
The diet of professional drivers is very different from the general population. This difference is due to a number of factors. Extraordinary working hours, irregular sleep, physical inactivity and stress. Poor facilities for the actual preparation and storage of food and poorer availability of factory catering. Professional drivers therefore often suffer from a range of health complications including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and metabolic syndrome. The aim of the bachelor thesis was to investigate the diet of professional drivers in the Czech Republic. To map their diet in terms of caloric intake, macronutrient intake and sugars. And secondly, to find out whether the offer in the catering facilities they use during working hours corresponds to their demand. Quantitative research was chosen to meet the objectives. Anthropometric data such as height, weight, BMI and waist circumference were collected and evaluated. A questionnaire focusing on lifestyle and eating habits and an evaluation of the last 24 hours' diet. Data collection was conducted at motorway rest areas in the Central Bohemia region. The research population consisted of 30 professional truck drivers in the age range of 29- 60 years. The bachelor thesis revealed significantly higher values of BMI and waist circumference compared to the average values of the population in the Czech Republic. The questionnaire survey revealed the diet and lifestyle of the professional drivers on the road. More than half of the respondents were smokers, two thirds drink alcohol and most of them do not engage in any physical activity. Analysis of the menus showed that their calorie intake was on average 14% higher than their daily energy needs and their consumption of sugars was noticeably higher than the recommendations. The bachelor thesis provides a comprehensive view of the diet and lifestyle of professional drivers. It highlights the impact of improper diet and the incidence of associated complications. The bachelor thesis is intended to raise awareness in society of this issue and may be useful to health care personnel who work with patients in the driving profession.
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