Assessment of Nutritional Status and Physiological Responses of Bus Drivers of Kolkata

Abstract

Transport system is an important feature of civilization. In Kolkata about 11.64 lakh vehicles ply through a road length of 1416 km in an area of 187.33 km2. There are about 12341 stage carriages and 39065 contract carriages, which are operated by the State Government and private operators. The bus drivers have to work for a long period of time and the duty schedule are not fixed. The present study was carried out to assess their nutritional status, physiological responses and workload. Thirty two bus drivers of Kolkata participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements were recorded. They were interviewed to record subjective assessment of workload and pain and discomfort in body parts. The working heart rates of the bus drivers were recorded every minute by Polar Heart Rate Monitor. Their average working heart rate (AWHR), peak working heart rate (PWHR) and energy expenditure were calculated. Mean BMI values of bus drivers indicated them as ‘normal healthy’ category; however, 16% were overweight and 15% were underweight. Waist hip ratio indicated that 91% subjects had abdominal obesity. The AWHR and PWHR of the bus drivers showed the workload category as moderate to heavy. The values of energy expenditure of bus driving indicated the workload as moderate which may be due to work in sitting posture. Subjective assessment result showed workload as very heavy (50%), heavy (28%) and moderate (22%). Bus drivers reported moderate and severe pain and discomfort in different body parts.