The aim of this study is to check the prevalence of overweight and/or obesity in kitchen workers and to observe if there is any specific risk factor related to their working conditions. It is a cross-sectional study with all the kitchen (n = 200) and laundry (n = 178) workers of eight public hospitals in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, a state located in the South of Brazil. Collecting of data included checking their weighs and measures and their answers to a questionnaire. The prevalence of overweight and obesity (BM I> 25 kg/m2) was higher among kitchen workers; a positive association was found for females only (Prevalence Rate Ratio = 1,3; 95% CI; 1,1; 1,5). The variable "food snacking" in the workplace was found to be typical for kitchen workers, either male or female. It was also found that both male and female kitchen workers frequently snack 5.7 and 3.9 more in the workplace than laundry workers. The easy access to food may be the reason for the highest weight levels among women.
occupational health; epidemiology; obesity; kitchen workers
