Survey findings
* A poll of 500 adults who drive a van for work found they typically spend three hours a day in their vehicle, whether driving, eating or taking a break. That’s the equivalent of one month each year sat behind the wheel
* As a result, three quarters (75%) don’t have time to exercise, and a fifth (21%) worry the amount of driving they do will impact their long-term health
* Half of those polled eat in their vehicle during the working day, doing so on average three times a week, with a quarter admitting they have a weak spot for junk food
* And £23.85 a week is spent on food, resulting in £1,240 being spent annually
James' practical tips
James said: "Driving a van for hours at a time requires lots of concentration which is incredibly tiring, and this can mean drivers are too fatigued to exercise or simply don’t have time to go to the gym after their shift. The data found that there are many van drivers up and down the country that really care about their health and choose to work out often. We created this guide to support them and help guide anyone who’s finding it slightly harder to incorporate into their lives.”
Many van drivers are inclined to lead a healthy and more active lifestyle in spite of the challenges the job poses. When asked what lifestyle changes they’d like to adopt, 48% said yes to more exercise, with walking (55%), football (54%) and running (49%) amongst the activities favoured outside of work.
Here at Fiat Professional, while we do everything we can to make our vans as comfortable as possible, it’s important that drivers take the opportunity for regular breaks, getting out of the driver’s seat to move around, loosen up and eat healthy food.
It can be draining driving for hours at a time and sitting in one position, so naturally caffeine filled drinks and fast food are a tempting option.
We hope that James’ tips show that it’s possible to adopt healthy habits on the move, and to feel better for it in the long term.
Summary of our findings:
• 42% of the van drivers surveyed would save money by making a packed lunch
• 31% feel driving a van limits where and when they can eat
• Nearly half (48%) never know if they’ll be near an eatery or shop
• 46% worry they won’t have a microwave where they’re working or that food will go bad if left in the vehicle (42%)
• A lack of time to prep lunch at home was also a concern for 37%, despite 81% of respondents eating lunch during working hours
• When they do manage to stop for a break, 44% use the time to eat or drink
• 43% buy snacks on their break
• 42% make sure they walk around to stretch their legs when they break from work
• A third (32%) argued there are little or no healthy options to choose from at the likes of petrol stations and service stations
• When choosing a snack 49% go for chocolate and 38% go for a burger
• When buying food on the go, taste is the priority for 60%, followed by price (55%), ease to eat (46%) and then healthiness (41%)
• 32% of participants actively try to eat their five a day on a regular basis
• The lack of routine, however, makes it difficult for van drivers (25%) to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle
• 32% of those polled, via OnePoll.com, work night shifts and feel it’s tricky to eat healthily when doing so (35%), and snack more often than they would during the day(32%)
• 23% suggested it’s challenging to lead a healthy lifestyle when working night shifts
• 75% of respondents suggest they don’t exercise outside of work due to a lack of time, not because they don’t want to exercise
