Prevalence and occupational factors associated with obesity in urban public transportation workers: a systematic review

Introduction: Urban public transportation workers constitute an important professional category in urbanised societies. However, they are exposed to working conditions that favor the development of diseases, especially obesity. Objective: Identifying the prevalence and other factors associated with obesity in urban public transportation workers, focusing on the occupational factors. Method: Systematic review on PubMed, CAPES Journal Portal, LILACS, with articles published between 2000 and 2015, in English, Spanish and Portuguese, with descriptors "working conditions " and "obesity" and keyword "bus drivers". The cut-off for obesity was BMI≥30 kg/m2 . Results: Most of the 44 studies were conducted in Asia (40.9%); and 31.82% were carried out in Brazil. The prevalence of obesity, met values between 9.6% (minimum) and 58.8% (maximum). Out of 9 obesity association studies, 4 found association with work-related variables, including: driver (compared to the collector); greater length of service; more hours behind the wheel each day; difficult access to fruits and physical activity in the workplace. Conclusion: Few studies have studied the factors associated with obesity in the Group of selected workers and, particularly, occupational factors. The matter requires more consideration regarding the daily routine of these workers, creating actions to encourage employee participation in healthy activities, improving the conditions and organisation of work, in order to promote health in this population.