Demographics and psychological factors associated with adiposity in nurses

Abstract

Adiposity-based chronic disease (ABCD), overweight-Ow- or obesity-Ob-) in health personnel is as frequent as in the general population, even though they understand well the importance of maintaining a healthy weight. Thus, it is highly likely that certain demographic and psychological conditions, independently of knowledge, are contributing to develop ABCD. The aim of this study was to examine the association between these factors and ABCD in nurses. Data were collected from a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary level institute in Mexico City from 2012 to 2013. All the nurses of the institute of any age, shift, service area and seniority were invited to participate and 55% (265) accepted. We found that ABCD was present in 79.6%, and low self-esteem and emotional distress in 26% and 10%, respectively. Working in the night shift (p = 0.031), labor seniority ≥15 years (p = 0.006), having 1 or more children (p = 0.021) and sessions of physical activity <30 min (p = 0.03) were associated with ABCD. Low self-esteem (OR = 2, 95% CI 1.150–3.07, p = 0.023) and emotional distress (OR = 4, 95% CI 1.472–13.078, p = 0.012) were associated with unhealthy lifestyle (less of 3 days per week and/or less of 30 min per session of physical activity and poor dietary habits). Therefore, strategies to prevent and treat ABCD must consider each context among nurses and psychological disorders need be identified to avoid an unhealthy lifestyle.