Associations Among Work and Family Health Climate, Health Behaviors, Work Schedule, and Body Weight

J Occup Environ Med. 2017 Jun;59(6):588-599. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001049.

Abstract

Objectives: Correctional employees exhibit elevated obesity rates. This study examines interrelations among health behaviors, health climate, body mass index (BMI), and work schedule.

Methods: Using survey results from correctional supervisors (n = 157), mediation and moderated-mediation analyses were performed to examine how health behaviors explain relationships between obesity, work health climate (WHC) and family health climate (FHC), and work schedule.

Results: Over 85% of the sample was overweight/obese (mean BMI = 30.20). Higher WHC and FHC were associated with lower BMI, mediated by nutrition, and physical activity. The interaction effect between health behavior and work schedule revealed a protective effect on BMI. Overtime shift work may share a relationship with BMI.

Conclusions: Findings may have implications for reexamining organizational policies on maximum weekly overtime in corrections. They provide direction for targeted obesity interventions that encourage a supportive FHC and promote healthy behaviors among supervisors working overtime.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Mass Index
  • Body Weight*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet
  • Exercise
  • Family Health*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Health
  • Organizational Culture*
  • Prisons*
  • Shift Work Schedule*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Workplace