¹Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, J.N Medical College, Belagavi, Karnataka, India.
²Department of Physiology, J.N Medical College Belagavi, Karnataka, India.

*Corresponding author:Dr. Harpreet Kour, Department of Physiology, J.N Medical College Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, India E-mail id: harpreetkour.kour@gmail.com

Article Information:Submission: 23/06/2025; Accepted: 02/08/2025; Published: 06/08/2025

Copyright: © 2025 Pirjade S, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Background: Traffic police personnel are subjected to multiple occupational stressors including prolonged standing, air pollution, and irregular schedules, which may predispose them to poor nutritional and health outcomes.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 70 traffic police personnel aged 40 to 60 years in Belagavi, Karnataka. Data on nutritional status were obtained through anthropometric assessments, three-day 24-hour dietary recall, and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Health outcomes were assessed using the Work Ability Index (WAI), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and Chi-square tests were employed for analysis. P value less than 0.05 was considered as significant.
Results: The mean age of participants was 47.57 ± 6.12 years. The mean BMI was 26.25 ± 3.31 kg/m², with 62.8% of participants classified as overweight or obese. Dietary intake exceeded recommended daily allowances for energy and macronutrients, while only 8.6% had good dietary diversity. Low physical activity was reported by 80% of participants, 67.1% experienced moderate stress, and 41.4% had poor sleep quality. Work ability scores were poor in 91.4% of cases. Significant associations were found between BMI and both work ability (p = 0.04) and sleep quality (p = 0.02).
Conclusion: Traffic police personnel in Belagavi exhibit a high burden of modifiable health risks related to nutrition, physical inactivity, and occupational strain. Multi-component health interventions targeting diet, physical activity, and recovery behaviors are urgently needed to improve health outcomes and occupational sustainability in this workforce.

Keywords:Nutritional Status; Occupational Health; Traffic Police; Body Mass Index (BMI); Physical Activity; Sleep Quality; Work Ability Index; Perceived Stress; Dietary Diversity; India

Occupational health is a critical dimension of workforce sustainability, particularly in high stress, high-exposure professions such as traffic policing. Traffic police personnel, while integral to urban traffic regulation and public safety, operate under strenuous conditions marked by prolonged standing hours, irregular shifts, and chronic exposure to air pollution, thermal extremes, vehicular noise, and ultraviolet radiation [1]. These environmental and occupational hazards are compounded by physical fatigue and psychological stress, creating a unique risk profile that distinguishes traffic police from other public sector workers.

The physiological burden imposed by this work environment is reflected in growing evidence of elevated rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and musculoskeletal disorders, among law enforcement personnel globally [2]. Despite the physically mobile nature of their duties, traffic police often exhibit sedentary behaviour patterns outside working hours and face challenges in maintaining healthy dietary and lifestyle practices. Irregular meal timing, limited dietary diversity, and excessive caloric intake often a consequence of occupational time constraints and poor nutritional awareness are well-documented contributors to metabolic dysregulation in shift-based occupations [3].

Furthermore, stress-related disorders and impaired sleep quality are increasingly recognized as prevalent among police forces, with empirical data linking chronic stress exposure to reduced work performance, increased absenteeism, and accelerated biological aging [4,5]. These concerns are magnified in developing countries, where occupational health surveillance systems are limited and preventive interventions for high-risk occupational groups remain inadequately implemented.

Despite these risks, there is a paucity of comprehensive data on the nutritional status and health outcomes of traffic police in India. Most existing studies either generalize findings from broader law enforcement populations or focus narrowly on select health parameters without integrating dietary and lifestyle assessments. This gap is particularly pronounced in tier-2 cities such as Belagavi, Karnataka, where urbanization and vehicular density continue to increase, intensifying occupational exposures for traffic personnel

In this context, the present study was designed to evaluate the nutritional status and health outcomes of traffic police personnel aged 40 to 60 years in Belagavi city. Using a combination of anthropometric assessments, dietary intake evaluation, and standardized tools for measuring physical activity, sleep quality, stress levels, and work ability, this study aims to generate evidence to inform occupational health interventions tailored to this vulnerable population.

This was a community-based, cross-sectional study conducted among traffic police personnel in Belagavi City, Karnataka, India, between October 2024 and March 2025. The objective was to assess the nutritional status and health outcomes including work ability, stress, sleep quality, and physical activity among traffic police officers aged 40–60 years.

The target population included uniformed traffic police officers employed by the Belagavi Police Department. Participants were eligible if they (i) were aged 40 to 60 years, (ii) were actively engaged in traffic control duties for a minimum of one year, and (iii) provided informed written consent. Individuals were excluded if they had been recently transferred out of traffic duty, were on extended leave during the study period, or declined participation.

A total of 70 traffic police personnel aged 40 to 60 years were recruited using convenience sampling and list of traffic police personnel obtained from the Belagavi Police Department. The sample size was estimated based on anticipated prevalence from prior studies, with a 95% confidence level and acceptable margin of error [6]. A non-probability convenience sampling method was used. Participants were recruited from multiple traffic junctions and police stations to ensure diversity in location and work exposure.

Data collection was performed during daytime hours at or near the workplace to minimize disruption to duty.
Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi (Ref. No. MDC/JNMC/IEC/441, dated 24/08/2024). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to data collection. Administrative permission was also secured from the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Belagavi.
All participants underwent a standardized interview, anthropometric assessment, and questionnaire-based evaluation. Trained investigators conducted face-to-face interviews in Kannada or English, as per participant

1. Data on socio-demographic and occupational characteristics were collected using a pre- tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Participants were asked to report their age (in completed years), gender, and religious affiliation. Occupational data included the current designation or cadre (e.g., constable, head constable, assistant sub- inspector), as well as the total number of years in service. Participants were asked about any existing medical conditions, including diagnosed chronic diseases (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, joint disorders), and whether they were currently receiving treatment or taking medications. Dietary preferences were documented and categorized as vegetarian, ovo-vegetarian, or non-vegetarian.

a. Anthropometric assessments were conducted following the WHO STEPS protocol to evaluate participants’ general and central adiposity. Body weight was measured to the nearest 0.1 kg using a calibrated digital scale, with participants in light clothing and no footwear. Height was recorded to the nearest 0.1 cm using a non-stretchable measuring tape. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (kg/m²) and categorized according to the WHO Asia-Pacific guidelines: underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5–22.9), overweight (23–24.9), obese class I (25–29.9), and obese class II (≥30) [7]. Waist circumference (WC) was measured at the midpoint between the lower margin of the last palpable rib and the top of the iliac crest at the end of expiration. Hip circumference (HC) was measured at the point of maximum protrusion of the buttocks. Waist-hip ratio (WHR) was calculated (WC ÷ HC), with cut-offs of >1.0 for males and >0.8 for females indicating central obesity [14]. Neck circumference was recorded just below the laryngeal prominence with participants seated upright [8].

b. Dietary Assessment: Two tools were used to assess dietary intake. A 3-day 24- hour dietary recall was administered to capture food and beverage consumption over two weekdays and one weekend day. Standard utensils, measuring cups, and visual charts were used to improve portion estimation. Nutrient composition

C. (energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates) was calculated using the Indian Food Composition Table 2017 [9], and an average of the three days was used for analysis. In addition, a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess habitual intake of key food groups including cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits, milk and dairy, meat, nuts, and oils. Intake frequency was categorized as daily, 2–3 times per week, weekly, occasionally, or never. A Food Diversity Score was calculated based on the number of food groups consumed at least twice per week, with scores categorized as poor (1–3), average (4–6), or good (7–10) [10].

a. Work Ability Index (WAI): Work ability was assessed using the validated Work Ability Index, which evaluates an individual’s capacity to perform work in relation to job demands, physical and mental resources, and existing health conditions. The total WAI score ranges from 7 to 49, and is classified as poor (7–27), moderate (28–36), good (37–43), or excellent (44–49) [11].

b. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10): Stress levels were assessed using the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale, which measures perceived stress over the previous month. Responses are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0–4), with total scores ranging from 0 to 40. Scores were categorized as low (0– 6), moderate (7–13), and high (≥14) [12].

c. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI): Sleep quality was evaluated using the PSQI, which measures subjective sleep quality across seven domains. The global score ranges from 0 to 21, with a score >5 indicating poor sleep quality [13].

d. International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form (IPAQ-SF): Physical activity levels were assessed using the short form of the IPAQ, which captures walking, moderate, and vigorous activity over the past 7 days. Total activity was converted into MET-minutes per week and categorized as low (<600 MET-min/week), moderate (600–1499), or high (≥1500) [14].

Data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 29. Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviation, proportions) were calculated. Pearson’s correlation test was used to analyse relationships between dietary intake and BMI. Chi-square tests were used to determine associations between categorical variables (e.g., food group intake vs. BMI categories). A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Categories with <5% frequency were merged into ‘Others’ for clarity. **

The mean age of the participants was 47.6 years, with an average of 20.8 years of service. Nearly all were in lower to mid-level traffic policing roles. A majority (60%) reported no known chronic illness; however, around 17% had hypertension or diabetes, and nearly one in five were on regular medications. Non-vegetarian diets were predominant (63%), with two- thirds of non-vegetarian participants consuming meat more than twice a week. [Table 1]

The anthropometric assessment revealed that the mean weight of the participants was 77.39 ± 9.75 kg, and the mean height was 171.47 ± 6.43 cm. The calculated mean BMI was 26.25 ± 3.31 kg/m², placing the average participant in the overweight category as per WHO Asia- Pacific classification. Waist and hip circumferences were 103.07 ± 9.47 cm and 102.34 ± 11.63 cm, respectively, with a mean waist-hip ratio (WHR) of 1.00 ± 0.06. This WHR exceeds the cut-off for central obesity (>1.0 for males), indicating a high prevalence of abdominal adiposity among the participants. Additionally, the average neck circumference was 40.90 ± 5.38 cm, further suggesting elevated risk for cardiometabolic conditions, as increased neck circumference has been linked to insulin resistance and obstructive sleep apnea in several occupational studies. Overall, these findings reflect a significant burden of both general and central obesity in the study. [Table 2]

Classification based on WHO Expert Consultation for Asian Populations (2004) (Ref. 6).
According to WHO classification for Asian populations, more than half of the participants (51.4%) were overweight, and an additional 11.4% were obese (Class I and II combined). No participants were under-weight. These findings reinforce the elevated

risk of cardiometabolic conditions in this occupational group. [Table 3]
*RDA values based on ICMR-NIN guidelines for moderately active Indian adult males [15].

The mean energy intake among participants was 2582.87 kcal/ day, which significantly exceeded the recommended level of 2110 kcal for moderately active adult males (p < 0.001). Similarly, the intake of all macronutrients, protein (86.68 g), fat (76.06 g), and carbohydrates (421.01 g) was considerably higher than ICMRNIN recommended dietary allowances, with statistically significant differences (p < 0.001 for all). [Table 4] seen for nuts and oilseeds (58.6%), while intake of fried and processed foods was relatively high (60% and 50%, respectively). These findings suggest a carbohydratedense but micronutrient-poor dietary pattern, which may contribute to excess energy intake without corresponding dietary quality. The low frequency of fruit and nut intake also aligns with the observed low dietary diversity scores in a significant proportion of participants. [Table 5]

Work performance was notably compromised, with 91.4% of participants categorized as having poor work ability scores, and none scoring in the good or excellent range. Low physical activity levels were reported by 80% of participants, further compounding health risks. Regarding psychological health, the majority (67.1%) reported moderate stress levels, and 41.4% had poor sleep quality based on the

PSQI. These findings suggest a substantial burden of occupational and lifestyle-related health challenges among traffic police personnel, which may impact both their well being and work efficiency. [Table 6]

Fruit intake showed a statistically significant association with BMI categories (χ² = 10.394, df = 2, p = 0.03), suggesting that higher fruit intake was more common among participants with normal BMI. No significant associations were observed between BMI and intake of vegetables, dairy, or meat.

There was a statistically significant association between BMI and work ability (p = 0.04), with overweight and obese participants more likely to report poor work ability scores. Similarly, a significant relationship was observed between BMI and sleep quality (p = 0.02), indicating that those with higher BMI were more prone to poor sleep patterns. No statistically significant associations were found between BMI and perceived stress or physical activity levels, although the relationship with physical activity showed a non-significant trend.

This study assessed the nutritional status and health outcomes of traffic police personnel in Belagavi, India. The findings reveal a significant burden of overweight and central obesity, excessive caloric intake, low dietary diversity, and poor health outcomes related to work ability, physical activity, stress, and sleep. These findings align

with concerns reported in occupational health literature regarding law enforcement personnel in India and other low- and middle income settings.

The mean BMI in this study (26.25 ± 3.31 kg/m²) placed the average participant in the overweight category according to WHO Asia-Pacific guidelines [7]. More than 62% of participants were overweight or obese. This is consistent with earlier studies. [1,16] which also found high rates of overweight among Indian police officers. Similarly, Wirth et al. [2] reported elevated BMI and metabolic risk in American law enforcement populations. The high prevalence of central obesity, as indicated by waist circumference and WHR, further underscores the cardiometabolic risk in this population. These findings mirror those of Santana et al. [5], who reported similar anthropometric trends among Brazilian military police. Elevated neck circumference in our study, a lesser-used but emerging predictor of metabolic risk and sleep apnea, also supports the growing evidence of hidden adiposity in seemingly mobile occupational roles.

Dietary assessment revealed that while total energy and macronutrient intake far exceeded ICMR recommendations, only 8.6% of participants had good dietary diversity. These results are consistent with Kayapinar and Savas [4], who found that police personnel often consume high-calorie but low-nutrient-density diets due to irregular work hours and poor access to balanced meals. The inverse association between fruit intake and BMI observed in our study (p = 0.03) is in line with prior findings linking low fruit and fiber intake to increased body weight [17].

The occupational health outcomes further emphasize the physiological and psychological burden in this workforce. Over 90% of participants scored poorly on the Work Ability Index. Among participants with a moderate workload, 84.4% experienced moderate fatigue, n=34(84.4%) experienced moderate fatigue, while n=6(15.2%) reported mild fatigue. In comparison, n=23(57.1%) of those with a low workload experienced moderate fatigue, and n=17(42.9%) reported mild fatigue [18].

Sleep quality was poor in 41.4% of participants and was significantly associated with BMI (p = 0.02). While moderate to high perceived stress was present in most participants (67.1%), the association with BMI was not statistically significant.
Despite traffic policing being a mobile job, 80% of participants reported low physical activity levels per IPAQ scoring. A study done by Shweta et al. reported high prevalence of Musculo skeletal pains among Traffic Police Personnel’s.

This study is limited by its cross-sectional design, which precludes causal inference. Dietary data relied on self-reported recall, which may be subject to under- or overestimation. The use of convenience sampling limits generalizability beyond Belagavi traffic police

Traffic police personnel in Belagavi demonstrate a high burden of overweight, inadequate dietary quality, low physical activity, and compromised work-related health. Associations between BMI, work ability, and sleep highlight the importance of integrated occupational health interventions, including nutrition education, structured physical activity programs, and stress/sleep management strategies.