OP14
WORKFORCE WELLBEING AT RISK: THE FUNCTIONAL AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE EFFECTS OF OBESITY IN NHS EMPLOYEES
- L. Stavrou, A. Popat, LNWH, London, UK
Background:
Obesity among healthcare workers has significant implications for workforce health, productivity, and organisational sustainability. Research shows that obesity prevalence among nurses (25.1%) and unregistered care workers (31.9%) is high, and this is comparable to or greater than population averages, with potential implications for musculoskeletal and mental health outcomes 1. These health sequelae can impair physical capacity, increase vulnerability to work-related injury, and contribute to sickness absence.
Methods:
Staff with obesity were invited to register for a staff health and lifestyle programme pilot. Details Data collected included BMI, SF-12, and work-related functioning questionnaire (WRFQ).
Results:
Results were collected from 28 staff who self-selected to join the programme. Self-reported BMI ranged from 27.9-50.8; average BMI was 38.2. The average physical component SF-12 score was 43.2, significantly lower than population average of 50 (P=<0.001). In WRFQ, the work scheduling demand subscale average was 73.9%, significantly lower than the general population average of 83% (P=0.03). Work scheduling demands subscale and physical demands subscale was also significantly lower in our cohort that average values for shift working population (P=<0.01 & P=0.02 respectively).
Implications:
- Class II and III Obesity NHS workers demonstrate lower quality of life scores (as per SF-12 physical component score) compared with the average population.
- No correlation between degree of BMI and perceived quality of life and work function.
- Class II and III Obesity NHS workers demonstrate reduced perception of work function.
- An intervention to support this cohort may improve perceived work productivity
References:
- Kyle RG, Wills J, Mahoney C, Hoyle L, Kelly M, Atherton IM. Obesity prevalence among healthcare professionals in England: a cross-sectional study using the Health Survey for England. BMJ Open [Internet]. 2017 Dec;7(12):e018498. Available from: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/12/e018498
- Ware JE, Kosinski M, Keller SD. A 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey: construction of scales and preliminary tests of reliability and validity. Medical care. 1996 Mar 1;34(3):220-33.
- Abma FI, van der Klink JJ, Bültmann U. The work role functioning questionnaire 2.0 (Dutch version): examination of its reliability, validity and responsiveness in the general working population. Journal of occupational rehabilitation. 2013 Mar;23(1):135-47.
