One in four NHS nurses are obese, study reveals

Obesity rates among nurses and care workers higher than people in non-health and care related jobs

One third of care workers are obese, the study shows (Fertnig/iStock)

One in four NHS nurses is obese and this could be contributing to high staff sickness levels and heaping more pressure on the health service, researchers have warned.

Obesity related illness could take an increasing toll on the NHS, the team from Edinburgh University warn, as almost half of nurses are over the age of 45.

Experts said the figures were “deeply worrying” and long, stressful shifts often made it hard for staff to make healthy choices.

Obesity rates were even higher in social care staff, one in three unregistered care workers – such as care home workers and nursing assistants – was found to have a Body Mass Index (BMI) score which classed them as obese.

Researchers from London South Bank University and Edinburgh Napier University set out to assess obesity prevalence among healthcare professionals working in England.

The study, published in the journal BMJ Open, saw them examine data from more than 20,000 working-age adults who took part in the Health Survey for England between 2008 and 2012.

Participants were split into four groups: nurses, other healthcare professionals – including doctors, dentists and physiotherapists, unregistered care workers and people employed in non health-related jobs.

Of the 422 nurses polled, 25.1% were obese, with a BMI score of more than 30.

Meanwhile, 31.9% of 736 unregistered healthcare workers were obese, as were 14.4% of other healthcare professionals.

Among the 18,500 people from the general population surveyed, the rate of obesity was found to be 23.5%.

The authors cautioned that the high rates of obesity among nurses and unregistered care workers were “concerning” because it increases the risk of musculoskeletal conditions and mental health conditions – some of the main causes of sickness absence in the health service.

Co author Dr Richard Kyle, from Edinburgh Napier University, said: “Obesity is a global pandemic and healthcare professionals are at the heart of efforts to bring down high levels of obesity among the population.

“That one in four nurses in England have been found to be obese is deeply worrying, not least because we know that obesity is linked to diseases such as cancer, cardio-vascular disease, and diabetes.

“It is vital that we redouble our efforts to take care of our healthcare workforce who do so much to care for others.”

Professor Jane Wills, from London South Bank University, and co-author of the paper, said: “The high prevalence of obesity among the healthcare workforce should urge policymakers and employers to provide solutions through workplace initiatives that support staff to maintain a healthy body weight.”

Kim Sunley, senior employment relations officer at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said: “There is no doubt obesity is a major public health issue, and we know nurses sometimes struggle to make healthy choices due to long hours, shift work and stress.

“In response, the RCN has worked with partner organisations to develop the Nursing You resource. This helps nurses recognise triggers for unhealthy decisions and make better food choices.

“This is the latest addition to the RCN’s Healthy Workplace, Healthy You initiative, which aims to improve nurses’ health by working with employers to improve conditions and promote self-care.”

Additional reporting by PA