Occupational Health of Health-Care Workers with Overnutrition: Scoping Review with Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objective: To review the scientific literature on the impact of interventions to enhance the occupational health of health-care workers with overnutrition. Methods: Scoping review with meta-analysis. Data were obtained by consulting the following bibliographic databases: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS), and Medicina en Español (MEDES). The terms used as descriptors and as text in the title and abstract fields of the records were "health workers", "overnutrition", and "occupational health", using the filters "human", "adult": 19+ years", and "clinical trial". The search update date was January 2023. The documentary quality of the articles was evaluated using the CONSORT questionnaire and the presence of bias was assessed using the Rob 2.0 tool. Results: From the 611 digitally retrieved references, 17 clinical trials were selected after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. CONSORT scores ranged from a minimum of 14.6% to a maximum of 91.7%, with a median of 68.8%. According to the SIGN criteria, this review provided "1" evidence with a grade B recommendation. Six different types of intervention were tested, grouped into strategies ranging from a single intervention to a combination of four interventions. The summary effect of the meta-analysis showed significant weight loss, but no association with reduced body mass index. Conclusions: While workplace interventions have been shown to be potentially effective, and strategies using different types of interventions have been proven to be useful in tackling overnutrition, an effective and sustainable solution for changing the behavior of health professionals to tackle overweight and obesity has yet to be identified.