Hard to Reach Trucking Population Gets Motivated!
Posted by Jessica Messenger on Wed, Nov 23, 2011 @ 09:57 AM
The New York Times published an article this week profiling five truck drivers who have taken initiative to change their infamous bad habits and share with their industry how they've taken on the challenge.
According to the NYT, 86% of the estimated 3.2 million truck drivers in the United States are overweight or obese. Obesity and blood pressure are the two most prominent health issues plaguing America's truck driving force. Jill Garcia, 50, a driver from San Antonio who is obese and has sleep apnea and hypertension, said: “I swear, the truck stops have a candy-a-holic at their corporate offices. You can get two king-size bars for $3. I got four packs of M&M’s for a buck.”
It seems as if the trucking industry is beginning to realize that they've got to change. Now, some transportation carriers, industry organizations and even truck stops are unrolling initiatives to help truckers slim down, shape up and improve their health. Employers are holding health seminars, building on-site gyms, bringing in nutritionists and fitness trainers, and offering financial incentives to employees who stop smoking or lose weight. Some drivers are cooking in their rigs, walking or bike riding around truck stops, blogging about their experiences...
Click here for NYT article