Frequent flier deficit
Thursday April 28th, 2011
"Frequent fliers" may face massive health problems linked to obesity and high blood pressure, according to a new analysis.
People
who spend their working lives on the road or in the air are twice as likely
to be obese as other workers, according to a major study involving more
than 13,000 people.
Most frequent business travellers are journeying by car rather than plane, researchers say - but both kinds face similar risks.
According to Dr Andrew Rundle, of Columbia University, New York, USA, travellers may face problems caused by fattening foods, poor sleep and long periods of inactivity.
Dr Rundle and Dr Catherine Richards say that workers who never travel are also likely to report poor health - but not as much as extensive travellers.
Regular business travellers are 260 per cent more likely to rate their personal health as "fair to poor" as are light travellers.
Writing in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the researchers highlight "steps that companies can take to help employees stay healthy while they're on the road—for example, offering stress management classes, selecting hotels with gym facilities, or tying meal reimbursements to healthier food choices."
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine April 2011
Tags: Diet & Food | Fitness | North America | Traveller Health
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