One in four of England nurses is obese, study warns
Obesity is connected to conditions that are the main causes of sickness absence in the NHS, say the authors of a new study.
Tuesday 5 December 2017 02:00, UK
One in four of England's nurses is obese, a "deeply worrying" new study has revealed.
Nearly half of English nurses are over the age of 45, which "poses a likely future burden of ill health for the healthcare workforce", researchers have warned.
The study also found one in three unregistered care workers - such as care home workers and nursing assistants - was found to have a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30, meaning they are obese.
Researchers from London South Bank University and Edinburgh Napier University examined data from more than 20,000 adults who took part in the Health Survey for England between 2008 and 2012.
The nursing figures were based on 422 nurses, with 25.1% of them having a BMI of more than 30. The rate for the general population was 23.5%.
Authors of the study, which is published in the BMJ Open journal, said that the rates of obesity among nurses and care workers were concerning.
Obesity is associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal and mental health conditions, both of which are major causes of sickness absence in the NHS.
Co author Dr Richard Kyle, from Edinburgh Napier University, said: "Obesity is a global pandemic and healthcare professionals are at the heart of efforts to bring down high levels of obesity among the population.
"That one in four nurses in England have been found to be obese is deeply worrying, not least because we know that obesity is linked to diseases such as cancer, cardio-vascular disease, and diabetes.
"It is vital that we redouble our efforts to take care of our healthcare workforce who do so much to care for others."
Kim Sunley, senior employment relations officer at the Royal College of Nursing, said nurses sometimes struggled to make healthy choices due to long hours, stress and shift work.
She added: "In response, the RCN has worked with partner organisations to develop the Nursing You resource.
"This helps nurses recognise triggers for unhealthy decisions and make better food choices.
"This is the latest addition to the RCN's Healthy Workplace, Healthy You initiative, which aims to improve nurses' health by working with employers to improve conditions and promote self-care."
NHS England said it has told hospitals to remove sugary drinks and snacks from shops and canteens and is providing extra funding for healthier options.