Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors and the risk of metabolic syndrome in taxi drivers: A focus on street food

Sekgala, Machoene Derrick; Opperman, Maretha; Mpahleni, Buhle; Mchiza, Zandile June‐Rose · 2023 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1112975

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Summary

This study investigates the association between sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among male minibus taxi drivers in Cape Town, South Africa, with a specific focus on street food consumption. The research was motivated by the high prevalence of unhealthy behaviors in this occupational group, including long working hours, stress, smoking, and frequent consumption of energy-dense street food, which are known risk factors for MetS. To date, no health interventions or comprehensive data existed for this population in South Africa. The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study using convenient sampling to recruit 185 male taxi drivers aged 20 years or older who had been driving for at least one year and consumed street food at least three times per week. Participants were excluded if they had a history of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes or hypertension. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using validated questionnaires to assess sociodemographics, lifestyle practices (including physical activity, smoking, and alcohol use), and street food frequency. Physical assessments included waist circumference, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose, while biochemical parameters were analyzed from venous blood samples. MetS was diagnosed using International Diabetes Federation criteria, requiring abdominal obesity and at least two other metabolic risk factors. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression to determine odds ratios while adjusting for confounders. The results indicated a high prevalence of MetS, with 70% of participants meeting the diagnostic criteria. Drivers with MetS were significantly older and had more driving experience than those without. Older participants were nearly three times more likely to have MetS. Lifestyle factors strongly correlated with MetS risk: smokers were 1.96 times more likely, those spending ≥100 ZAR daily on street food were 2.0 times more likely, and sedentary individuals (<1.4 MET-minutes/week) were 13.6 times more likely to develop MetS compared to their counterparts. Specific dietary habits also impacted health outcomes; daily consumption of processed meat increased the risk of abnormal HDL cholesterol by 3.7 times, while daily intake of fried meat and fish increased the likelihood of MetS, abnormal waist circumference, and hypertension by approximately 2.1 to 2.3 times. Conversely, avoiding takeaway and fried foods reduced the likelihood of developing MetS and abnormal triglycerides. The findings highlight significant public health implications, demonstrating that taxi drivers face elevated risks for metabolic disorders due to occupational stress and poor dietary habits. The study concludes that policymakers should adopt a system-level approach to promote lifestyle changes within the taxi industry. Targeted interventions focusing on reducing street food consumption, increasing physical activity, and addressing smoking could help mitigate the high prevalence of MetS in this vulnerable occupational group.

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