When I first got into the risk‑management business, I assumed my job would be about spreadsheets, claims, compliance. But one thing kept rising in every assessment I did: human risk. Not just mechanical failures or accidents but the bodies behind the wheels.

In trucking, there’s a known pattern: tight delivery schedules, constant motion, limited food options. The default becomes fast food, energy drinks, snacks with no nutritional value. Over time, that default eats you alive.

I’ve seen reports of drivers found dead in their cabs some from heart attacks, others from carbon monoxide poisoning. One recent case: a 61‑year-old driver died of carbon monoxide poisoning in his sleeper berth, after resting in his truck for 24 hours.

If you lead or insure a trucking fleet or manage risk, you owe it to your people (and to yourself) to see this problem not as a fringe “health issue” but as a core part of risk mitigation.

Let me walk you through the stakes, and then five habits you can help implement or encourage. Because changing eating and fitness patterns is one of the most powerful risk-reduction strategies you’ll ever adopt.

The Stakes Are Real: Health Risks in Trucking

Chronic Disease, Obesity & Mortality

Truck drivers carry a disproportionate burden of disease. Compared to average workers, they have higher rates of:

- Heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity

- Metabolic risk factors and poor cardiometabolic profiles

- Increased mortality rates from ischemic heart disease, lung cancer, and related causes.

One systematic review found that trucker dietary and physical activity patterns reflect “poor diet quality, sedentary practices” with a high prevalence of risk behaviors.

In a recent behavioral‑intervention review, they noted that drivers with obesity tend to have higher crash risk and that interventions targeting diet and activity are key to reducing both health and safety risk.

A Life on the Road, and the Danger Within It

The perils are not just about wear and tear. In 2024, one driver died in his truck due to carbon monoxide poisoning, likely from a butane stove or other in‑cab device during rest.

Another article describes how long-haul trucking is a “hidden health crisis,” with many drivers logging suicidal thoughts, exposure to trauma, and chronic physical decline.

It’s easy to say “we’re just moving freight.” But some of the greatest risks are the silent ones—heart attacks, diabetes, exhausted bodies, stress, and environmental exposure to diesel particulate matter and pollutants.

Five Tips to Monitor and Shift Eating Habits (And Add Fitness) for Real Impact

1. Meal Prep / Bring Your Own Food

Why it matters: Truck stops and fast food dominate the food landscape, and many drivers report that poor nutrition stems from lack of choice and convenience.

Action steps:

- Encourage drivers to carry a cooler / small fridge in the cab.

- Provide containers and meal templates (e.g. chicken + veggies + whole grain).

- Reward or subsidize healthy prepped meals.

Benefit: Less reliance on ultra-processed meals, more stable energy, better blood sugar control.

2. Snack Smart — Not Fast, But Nutrient-Rich

Why it matters: It’s not realistic to say “no snacks” on the road. But many snacks are calorie-dense, nutrient-poor.

Action steps:

- Replace chips / candy / soda with nuts, protein bars (low sugar), dried fruit, jerky, fresh fruit.

- Encourage water first; caffeine or sugary drinks second.

- Use portion control.

Benefit: Maintains satiety, steadier energy, prevents overconsumption when meals are delayed.

3. Use Check‑Ins or Logs (Digital or Paper)

Why it matters: You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Behavioral tracking increases awareness and adherence.

Action steps:

- Provide a simple app or a paper log.

- Monthly review sessions: highlight wins, share strategies.

- Introduce light challenges.

Benefit: Raises self-awareness, surfaces patterns, prompts earlier adjustments.

4. Incorporate Movement and Micro‑Workouts

Why it matters: Hours behind the wheel = near-zero physical activity. Short bursts of movement have measurable benefit.

Action steps:

- Bodyweight moves to do during stops.

- Use parking-time walking circuits.

- Incentivize stretching and mobility routines.

Benefit: Helps offset sedentary risk, reduces back/neck stiffness, improves circulation.

5. Regular Health Screenings and Monitoring Metrics

Why it matters: Many risks are silent until crisis. Early detection saves lives.

Action steps:

- Partner with clinics or telehealth providers for screening.

- Provide or subsidize wearable devices.

- Track critical health metrics.

Benefit: Spot trouble early, prevent a heart attack, reduce medical claims.

How This Ties Into Risk Management (Yes, It’s Business Too)

Health isn’t a fringe category. It’s central.

- Drivers with obesity or metabolic syndrome have documented higher crash rates.

- Poor health contributes to “non-performance” incidents.

- Chronic medical costs, downtime, increased insurance exposure all erode margins.

If your drivers are healthier, they show up more consistently, make better decisions, and reduce liability.

A Personal Note

I’ve seen carriers who lose a driver to a heart event, and suddenly insurance costs spike, turnover increases, morale drops.

One carrier decided to pilot a wellness program: modest bonuses for completing health checkups, meal prep kits, and 5‑minute stretch breaks. Within one year, fewer injury claims, lower absenteeism, and improved driver satisfaction.

You don’t have to overhaul culture overnight. Start small—choose one tip, implement it, iterate.

In Closing: Health Is a Risk You Can Manage

How drivers eat, move, and monitor their bodies can shift. That shift isn’t merely “feel good”—it’s risk reduction.

Pick one of these tips today. Pilot it. Track it. Celebrate small wins.

When your drivers live stronger, smoother, better—your risk profile improves. Costs drop. Lives extend.