BACKGROUND: Physical demands may vary between white collar and blue collar
occupations when evaluating specific physiological differences such as one’s weight, body
mass index and body fat percentage.
OBJECTIVE: To explore nutritional, anthropometric, and physical-activity
differences between young and middle-aged WC and BC workers.
METHODS: Ninety-one male participants aged 19–64 that were either WC and/or
BC workers completed a 3-day food recall, modified Baecke Questionnaire, and had their
height, weight, body mass index and body fat percentage measured. Participants were
classified as: young-white-collar, young-blue-collar, middle-white-collar or
middle-blue-collar workers.
RESULTS: No nutritional differences within ages or between occupations were
reported. Body mass index and body fat percentage were lower for young vs. middle-aged
workers. Lastly, physical-activity at work was higher for young and middle-aged Blue
collar workers, while White collar workers participated in more physical activity outside
of work.
CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest that the observed increases in
body fat percentage and body mass index with age, are independent of occupation.
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