Linking health lifestyle classes to blue-collar workers’ participation in worksite health promotion programs in freight transport: a latent class analysis

Purpose: Worksite health promotion programs (WHPPs) are able to promote a healthier lifestyle for blue-collar workers in freight transport, yet their participation is generally low. This study aims to identify different health lifestyle classes among blue-collar workers in freight transport and investigate the relationship between class membership and WHPP participation. Methods: Data from 16,897 employees were obtained from an online health questionnaire as part of a sector induced WHPP (89.1% male, 71.0% blue-collar worker, M<inf>age</inf> = 49.3 years (SD = 12.7)). A latent class analysis was conducted to identify health lifestyle classes. Classes for blue-collar and white-collar workers were compared. Characteristics of the blue-collar workers’ classes were examined together with the likelihood of WHPP participation. Results: For blue-collar workers, a 5-class solution provided the best fit. These classes were labeled: (1) “unhealthy diet” (14%), (2) “health promoting” (29%), (3) “lack of moderate physical activity” (31%), (4) “low physical activity” (15%), and (5) “sleep deprived” (11%). For white-collar workers, a 4-class solution provided the best fit, with three comparable classes and one “health compromising” class. Blue-collar workers of the “unhealthy diet” and “sleep deprived” class reported the lowest perceived health, and showed highest WHPP participation levels. “Low physical activity” class members reported unhealthy behaviors, yet showed lowest participation levels. Conclusions: These findings indicate that different lifestyle classes exist among blue-collar workers within the freight transport industry which can be linked to WHPP participation. Consequently, WHPPs and implementation strategies can be adjusted to serve existing classes among blue-collar workers within the industry, in order to enhance participation.