Occupational Sedentary Lifestyle and its Association with Dietary Habits and BMI in Urban Shopkeepers

Abstract

Background: Sedentary lifestyle is a growing public health concern, particularly in urban populations where occupational settings encourage prolonged inactivity. Shopkeepers, counterpersons, and office workers are especially vulnerable due to long hours of sitting and limited physical activity.

Objective: To determine the effect of sedentary lifestyle on dietary habits and health status among shopkeepers and to analyze correlations with BMI.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 211 shopkeepers in Mangalore using a structured questionnaire. Data on sedentary indicators (watching TV, exercise, job setting, activity level) and diet variables (fast food intake, skip meals, binge eating, snacking) were collected along with anthropometric measures. Frequencies, percentages, and Pearson correlations were calculated.

Results: Sedentary behaviors were highly prevalent, with 54.5% reporting sedentary job settings and 70.6% not engaging in regular exercise. Fast food consumption was reported by 35.1% and binge eating by 26.5%. BMI analysis revealed 42% of participants were overweight or obese. Watching TV correlated positively with fast food intake (r = 0.42) and BMI (r = 0.36). Exercise correlated negatively with skip meals (r = -0.31) and BMI (r = -0.29).

Conclusion: Sedentary lifestyle among shopkeepers is strongly associated with unhealthy dietary practices and elevated BMI. Workplace interventions promoting physical activity and healthy eating are urgently needed.