The relationship between physical activity, stress, obesity, and depression among healthcare professionals in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Maria R. Busam (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Susan A. Letvak
Abstract: The work environment of healthcare professionals requires them to be physically fit. This study examined physical activity among healthcare professionals and the impact physical activity has on stress, overweight and obesity, and depression in healthcare professionals using secondary data from Wave V data of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health conducted from 2016 to 2018. Findings demonstrated that these health care professionals engaged in slightly more physical activity than the national norm for US adults (56.7% vs. 50%). As supported by the literature, engaging in physical activity reduced stress scores. There was a high prevalence of obesity in these healthcare professionals (63.7%). Those persons who engaged in more physical activity and had higher education had lower BMIs. Physical activity was not associated with depression scores. This study demonstrated an ongoing gap with inclusion of racial disparities in physical activity research. Increasing physical activity among healthcare professionals is a significant issue. There is a need for additional research, especially interventions, to increase physical activity in healthcare workers. While healthcare workers have responsibility for their own health, the healthcare system must do more to support the health of their workforce, to include assuring that physical activity recommendations are able to be met.
The relationship between physical activity, stress, obesity, and depression among healthcare professionals in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health
PDF (Portable Document Format)
598 KB
Created on 12/1/2022
Views: 8
Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 2022
- Keywords
- Depression, Healthcare professionals, Obesity, Physical Activity, Stress, Work Safety
- Subjects
- Medical personnel
- Stress management
- Exercise
- Depression, Mental $x Prevention
- Obesity $x Prevention
- Employee health promotion