Obesity prevalence among healthcare professionals in England
Genetic variants can increase susceptibility
myDNAhealth comments on a recent cross-sectional study using aggregated HSE data aimed to estimate the prevalence of obesity among health professionals in England.
The study, published in the journal BMJ Open, found that 1 in 4 nurses and over 30% of unregistered care workers such as care home workers and nursing assistants in England are obese. The researchers concluded with almost half of English nurses over the age of 45, this poses a likely future burden of ill health for the healthcare workforce. These workers say working life in healthcare can be tough; shift work, late nights, limited time and constant stress can often result in taking the easy options in terms of diet and lifestyle.
Obesity is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease and some other health conditions. Major contributors to the rising prevalence of obesity are factors that promote an increase in energy intake (for example, an over abundance of in expensive, easily available, energy-rich food, highly palatable foods) and factors which contribute to a decrease in energy expenditure such as sedentary lifestyles (TV watching, driving to work), reduced physical activity at work (office work rather than manual work) and in leisure time.
However, the major difference between those susceptible and those resistant to the obesogenic environment lies in genetics. The variability between individuals is influenced by complex interactions between environmental factors and biological (genetic and behavioural) factors, which influence the balance between energy intake and energy expenditure. Some people are more responsive to changes in diet and physical activity than others.
Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that underpin the variability in BMI and the response to diet and lifestyle interventions is an important component for healthcare professionals to consider when designing strategies to prevent and treat obesity and related disorders.
