Potential Interventions to Improve Dietary behaviors among Long-haul Truck Drivers in Germany. Results of a qualitative Study

For professional drivers in long-distance goods transport, who are usually on the road for several days at a time, a balanced diet is a particular challenge due to their working conditions. The aim of this qualitative study was to record the current nutritional behaviour of German-speaking long-distance drivers as well as their opinions on possible interventions and to derive possible options for action to improve nutritional behaviour. The qualitative data collection was carried out by means of guided individual interviews and focus group discussions. A total of 16 people participated in the survey, eight in each of the individual interviews and eight in the group discussions. Central problems concerning the nutritional situation of long-distance drivers are the lack of shopping facilities, the poor quality and price-performance ratio of food on offer at rest stops, the lack of parking space and long and irregular working days. The proposed concepts are evaluated differently; in particular, the respective framework conditions and driver types must be taken into account. The results indicate dissatisfaction among long-distance drivers with the catering options on multi-day journeys. Different approaches to improve the daily nutritional routine met with interest among the respondents. The proposed typology may be helpful in identifying specific groups of drivers and their problems and requirements in order to develop targeted interventions, and should be tested in further studies, including quantitative studies.

Automated summary

Long-distance drivers face challenges in maintaining a balanced diet due to lack of shopping facilities and unsatisfactory food quality and variety at rest stops. Their dissatisfaction with catering options on multi-day journeys highlights the need for interventions to improve daily nutritional routines. Identifying driver typologies and their specific problems and needs can guide targeted intervention development, which should be further explored in quantitative studies.