Nature of the work correlated to overweight and obesity for nurses: A 10-year hospital-based cohort study

Sep 29, 2026

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Background: Nurses are a high-risk group for overweight and obesity due to high stress, low-labor medical work, irregular diet, and lack of exercise; data on links between job characteristics and overweight/obesity among nurses remain scarce. Methods: A retrospective cohort study followed nurses with annual checkups from 2007–2016. Overweight (BMI 24–27 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI >27 kg/m2) were assessed, with prevalence/incidence and relative risks estimated using logistic regression. Results: 4,253 participants were included; junior staff and administrative directors showed higher overweight, and obesity was more likely in junior staff, administrative directors, older age, and male sex. Overweight/obesity emerged rapidly in the first two career years. Conclusion: Workplace health-promotion policies targeting these factors are recommended.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

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Pages5

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Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Public health context

Nursing workforce risk

Methods

Data collection and measures

J Chin MedAssoc Original article Nature of the work correlated to overweight and obesity for nurses: A 10-year hospital-based cohort study Chih-Kang Huanga,b, Ching-Feng Huangb,c, Zheying Liub,d, Shih-Kuan Lib,e, Yu-Hua Chiuf, Hsiao-Hui Chiug,* , Shang-Liang Wuh,* aDepartment of Pediatrics, St. Paul’s Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC; bDivision of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; cDepartment of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; dDepartment of Emergency and Critical Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; eDepartment of Pediatrics, Yonghe Cardinal Tien Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC; fDepartment of Supply, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; gDepartment Nursing, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; hDepartment of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC Abstract Background: Nurses are a high-risk group for overweight and obesity due to high stress, low-labor medical work, irregular diet, and lack of exercise. There is scarce information on relationship between job characteristics and overweight and obesity among nurses. This study aimed to answer the question. Does the nature of the work including job position, seniority relate to overweight and obesity among nurses? Their incidence was also investigated. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of nurses who underwent annual checkups during 2007 to 2016 in a medical center. Overweight was defined as a body mass index between 24 and 27kg/m2. Obesity was defined as a body mass index higher than 27kg/m2. We calculated the prevalence and incidence of overweight and obesity and estimated relative risks using logistic regression. Results: Overall, 4253 participants were enrolled for the incidence of overweight and obesity. We found that junior staff, administrative directors, working in intensive care units, and old age had a high possibility of overweight. Junior staff, administrative directors, old age, and male sex tend to be obesity. Overweight and obesity occurred rapidly in the first 2 years of their career. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that policies should be set up to achieve the goal of workplace health promotion. Health plans focusing on these factors may help nurses avoid obesity and overweight. The director of the hospital should keep track of the health checkup database to confirm the benefits of its long-term implementation. Keywords: Cohort study; Health personnel; Nurse; Obesity; Overweight 1. INTRODUCTION Overweight and obesity are major public health issues worldwide. According to a report published by the World Health Organization in 2016, 39% of the adult population were overweight (body mass index [BMI] ≥25kg/m2), and approximately 13% of the adult population was obese (BMI ≥30kg/m2).1 In Taiwan, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased. According to the “Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan,” the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Taiwanese adults has increased from 43.4%(2005- 2008) to 45.4%(2013-2016).2 * Address correspondence. Dr. Shang-Liang Wu, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 201, Section 2, Shi-Pai Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan, ROC. E-mail address: [leowsl5@gmail.com](leowsl5@gmail.com) (S.-L. Wu); Dr. Hsiao-Hui Chiu, Department Nursing, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 201, Section 2, Shi-Pai Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan, [ROC. E-mail address: shchiu2@vghtpe.gov.tw](ROC. E-mail address: shchiu2@vghtpe.gov.tw)[ ](ROC. E-mail address: shchiu2@vghtpe.gov.tw)(H.-H. Chiu). Conflicts of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest related to the subject matter or materials discussed in this article. Journal of Chinese Medical Association. (2023) 86: 940-944. Received June 5, 2023; acc

FAQs

What was the study’s main objective regarding nurses’ overweight and obesity?

To determine whether the nature of nurses’ work—such as job position and seniority—is related to the incidence of overweight and obesity, and to quantify their incidence.

How were overweight and obesity defined in this cohort study?

Overweight was defined as BMI between 24 and 27 kg/m2, and obesity was defined as BMI higher than 27 kg/m2.

Which nurse groups showed a higher likelihood of overweight or obesity?

Overweight was more likely among junior staff, administrative directors, those working in intensive care units, and older age. Obesity was more likely among junior staff, administrative directors, older age, and male sex.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Levi