Abstract
Cultivating health from within: Assessing nutritional status, eating habits, and lifestyle of Ministry of Health workers in the Dominican Republic.
APHA 2025 Annual Meeting and Expo
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2024-2025, including all consenting workers from the headquarters. A validated survey was used, and certified anthropometrists measured height, weight, and body composition using a scale, stadiometer, and bioelectrical impedance. Data were analyzed using percentages and Chi-square tests (p<0.05).
Results: 667 workers were surveyed. Most were 30-49 years old (55.9%), female (71.7%), and professionals (38.9%). Regarding nutritional status, 41.2% had overweight and 35.5% had obesity. Medical conditions included hypertension (29.2%), dyslipidemia (10.1%), and diabetes (8.2%). Hypertension was more common among workers in transportation and custodial support (p=0.003). Regarding dietary habits, 17.1% consumed vegetables daily, and 9.9% ate fruit daily, more common among workers in leadership positions (p=0.003). Daily consumption of animal proteins and legumes was reported by 63.3% and 12%, respectively. Sugary drinks (40%), sweets or fried foods (46.4%), and fast food (59.2%) were consumed 1-2 times per week. Nearly half (48.4%) never drank alcohol. Only 36.1% drank the recommended amount of water. Most workers had breakfast (70.4%) and lunch (87.8%) at the office. Physical activity was reported by 41.5%, more frequent among workers in leadership positions (p=0.001). 73.4% slept 5-7 hours per night. High stress (22.6%) and anxiety (15.7%) were more common among custodial support workers (p=0.001).
Conclusion: Findings suggest the need for workplace policies that support health, particularly for custodial support and transportation workers. Policies that improve access to nutritious food, increase water intake, encourage physical activity, and support stress management could bring significant benefits. Ensuring the well-being of health workers is crucial to building a more resilient workforce capable of better supporting everyone’s health.
Chronic disease management and prevention Occupational health and safety Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control Public health or related research