Comparative assessment of body mass index, and lipid profile among commercial bus drivers in ekpoma, Nigeria

Commercial drivers are a ‘high-risk’ population where fitness on duty is important in enabling them to adequately respond to their job responsibilities. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing the Body Mass Index and Plasma levels of lipid profile among Commercial Bus Drivers in Ekpoma. A total of one hundred (100) subjects were recruited for this study which comprised of sixty-five (65) drivers from different transport companies in Ekpoma and thirty-five (35) samples from Non drivers (control). A well-structured questionnaire was designed to obtain socio-demographic information, dietary intake, nutritional status and general health information. Blood samples (5mls) were collected by vene-puncture into an accurately labelled lithium heparin container for both subjects and control and were analyzed in the laboratory using standard methods. The results showed that the levels of BMI were significantly higher (p<0.05) in commercial bus drivers (26.39± 5.33 kg/m2) compared with the control (21.21± 2.93 kg/m2). The levels of total cholesterol were significantly higher (p<0.05) in commercial bus drivers (174.88 ± 41.93 mg/dl) compared with the control (139.10± 22.75 mg/dl). The Triglyceride levels were not significantly different (p>0.05) in commercial bus drivers (111.62±49.47 mg/dl) as compared to the control (112.39± 28.47 mg/dl). HDL levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) in commercial bus drivers (106.42± 20.76 mg/dl) as compared to the control (69.23± 11.67 mg/dl). LDL levels were not significantly different (p>0.05) in commercial bus drivers (50.14± 30.59 mg/dl) as compared to the control (50.46 ± 22.41). VLDL levels were not significantly different (p>0.05) in commercial bus drivers (22.31 ± 10.05mg/dl) as compared to the control (22.89± 5.73 mg/dl). The results of this study have revealed that commercial drivers are exposed to high cardiovascular risks which could be attributed to the nature and structure of their work.