Obesity Prevalence and Musculoskeletal Injury History in Probation Officers.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present investigation was to identify 1) the prevalence of overweight and obesity and 2) factors associated with previous work-related musculoskeletal injury, and physical activity levels in North Carolina probation officers.

METHODS: North Carolina probation officers (n=1,866) were sent a questionnaire on demographics, work history, injury history, and physical activity. A multivariable logistic regression model estimated the odds of reporting work-related musculoskeletal injury history within the past year, and multivariable ordinal logistic regression estimated the odds of reporting lower physical activity levels in the previous month. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) excluding 1.00 were deemed significant.

RESULTS: Complete data were available for 1,323 probation officers (70.9% completion rate; 46.5% female; mean±SD age=39.9±10.0 years). 80.8% of officers were classified as overweight and obese (body mass index [BMI]≥25kg/m), with 49.9% and 9.5% categorized as obese (BMI≥30kg/m) and severely obese (BMI≥40kg/m), respectively. Being older (1-year increase; OR=1.06; 95% CI=1.04-1.09) and severely obese (compared to normally weighted; OR=2.56; 95% CI=1.19-5.51) was associated with a greater odds of sustaining a work-related musculoskeletal injury in the past year. A higher number of years of employment (one-year increase; OR=1.03; 95% CI=1.01-1.04), being overweight or obese (compared to normal weight; OR=1.57-3.22) and being female (compared to male; OR=0.38; 95% CI=0.31-0.47) was associated with greater odds of lower physical activity levels in the previous month.The prevalence of obesity is alarmingly high in probation officers, and is associated with a greater likelihood of sustaining previous work-related musculoskeletal injury and engaging in lower amounts of PA. Public safety administrators may consider worksite exercise/diet interventions and annual physical employment standards to combat obesity.