Job stability, great salary, being able to see the countryside while getting paid for it and not having a boss standing over you watching your every move are just some of the amazing perks of being a Long haul truck driver. For those people looking to start their driving careers hearing these perks over the phone from a recruiter can confirm that you a recent graduate from driving school made the right career choice. Who would not want to drive from coast to coast while getting paid? Being able to see places like Mt. Rushmore, the Rocky Mountains and the Grand Canyon just to name a few.

As great as this sounds there are hidden health hazards that conveniently never get brought up to drivers just starting their careers. According to the CDC one of the most common health hazards that long haul drivers need to worry about is obesity due to low physical activity. Drivers usually park and sleep at truck stops which do not have the healthiest of food choices. It is easy to see when you are eating truck stop food, fast food and processed snacks several times a day how obesity combined with low physical activity can occur. Stephen Hall a 29 year old from Fayetteville, Tennessee had this to say about obesity; “Man, when I started driving seven years ago I weighed like 200 to 205 pounds and after eating all this crap I am now pushing 300 pounds, and I am not sure how to lose it and keep my job”. When interviewing Stephen, I could see the concern in his eyes and hearing it come through his deep southern draw that he feels stuck. Stephen has two kids to raise, a wife to take care of, a house and bills like most of us. Last year Stephen made over $160,000 and he feels he cannot quit as he is a high school drop out with a G.E.D. As Stephen put it, “I don’t know of any jobs I could do being a high school drop out with a G.E.D. that will pay me anywhere even close to what I make now?” Even with Stephen doing so well financially he knows that this career long term will send him to his grave early if he does not make some changes.

To investigate this further I decided to visit one of the larger truck stops in my region just to see what kind of food options are available to drivers. Could it be that maybe Stephen just made poor choices or are his choices like so many others limited? I left my home in Huntsville, Alabama and drove west on Interstate 565 then headed south on I-65 until I reached my destination just off exit 322. My destination is the Loves Travel Center in Falkville, Alabama. Before I even get out of my car the first thing, I see is a sign that says McDonalds. The famous restaurant is inside the truck stop and the sign is positioned to bring in drivers and even locals inside. Once I walked through the packed parking lot and the double glass doors automatically open welcoming me inside. When I walk in, I see a huge selection of eats. Walking through I see a hot dog machine with hot dogs, sausage links, brats and hot dogs filled with jalapeno’s and cheese. Next to the hot dog machine was a case filled with premade hamburgers, cheeseburgers, bacon cheeseburgers then slices of various pizza options. As I continued through the store, I see potato chips, candy, chocolate, soda, beer and of course McDonalds. The only food I seen they offered that could help a driver stay healthy was water and a couple premade salads that looked nearly expired.

This investigation has taught me that there is a desperate need for long haul drivers to have healthier food choices. Truck stops need to offer a better diversity of food options as it would help improve the quality of life for their customer base. I reached out to Calhoun Community College were several local drivers to be gone to learn to drive and obtain their CDL license. My efforts were to see if they teach their students about the importance of nutrition and having a balanced diet. Unfortunately to date my email request has not been replied to.

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/truck/health.html

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214140516302213