Association Between Business Travel, Health-Related Behaviors, and Adiposity

Sharon H Bergquist; Michele Marcus; Qi Meng; Teng Fei; Chad Robichaux; David L Roberts; Reneé H Moore

doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000002278

Association Between Business Travel, Health-Related Behaviors, and Adiposity

J Occup Environ Med. 2021 Oct 1;63(10):839-846. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002278.

Authors

Sharon H Bergquist¹, Michele Marcus, Qi Meng, Teng Fei, Chad Robichaux, David L Roberts, Reneé H Moore

Affiliation

¹ Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr Bergquist and Dr Roberts); Departments of Epidemiology, Environmental Health and Pediatrics, Rollins School of Public Health and School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr Marcus); Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory Biostatistics Collaboration Core, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (Ms Meng, Mr Fei, and Dr Moore); Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (Mr Robichaux).

PMID: 34091579
DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002278

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the associations between frequency of business travel and health behaviors and adiposity.

Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of de-identified electronic medical records from 795 corporate physical exams.

Results: Business travel frequency demonstrates a curvilinear relationship with body mass index and body composition in men and women, with domestic and international travel. Linear and quadratic term beta coefficients indicate stronger associations between the sum of domestic and international travel and BMI, body fat percentage, and visceral adipose tissue in women than men, after accounting for age, exercise, and sleep. Based on our male sample population, international travel frequency has a greater influence on adiposity than summed (mostly domestic) travel.

Conclusions: Frequent business travel adversely affects body composition, with differences by gender and type of travel.

MeSH terms

Adiposity*
Body Mass Index
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Behavior
Humans
Male
Obesity*
Retrospective Studies