Cardiovascular fitness levels among American workers

John E. Lewis, John D. Clark, William G. LeBlanc, Lora E. Fleming, Alberto J. Cabán-Martinez, Kristopher L. Arheart, Stacey L. Tannenbaum, Manuel A. Ocasio, Evelyn P. Davila, Diana Kachan, Kathryn McCollister, Noella Dietz, Frank C. Bandiera, Tainya C. Clarke, David J. Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To explore cardiovascular fitness in 40 occupations using a nationally representative sample of the US population. Methods: Respondents aged 18 to 49 years (N = 3354) from the 1999 to 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were evaluated for cardiovascular fitness and classified into low, moderate, and high levels. Comparisons were made among occupations. Results: Of all the US workers, 16% had low, 36% moderate, and 48% high cardiovascular fitness. Administrators, health occupations, wait staff, personal services, and agricultural occupations had a lesser percentage of workers with low cardiovascular fitness compared with all others. Sales workers, administrative support, and food preparers had a higher percentage of workers with low cardiovascular fitness compared with all others. Conclusions: Cardiovascular fitness varies significantly across occupations, and those with limited physical activity have higher percentages of low cardiovascular fitness. Workplace strategies are needed to promote cardiovascular fitness among high-risk occupations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1115-1121
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Volume53
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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