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Work Characteristics, Body Mass Index, and Risk of Obesity: The National Quality of Work Life Survey
Journal Title
Annals of Work Exposures and Health
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Term and Year
Publication Date
2020-10-30
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Publication Volume
65
Publication Issue
3
Publication Begin
291
Publication End
306
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wxaa098.pdf
Adobe PDF, 591.62 KB
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Abstract
Objectives: To examine work characteristics in relation to body mass index (BMI) and risk of obesity.
Methods: We analyzed data from 1150 participants working 20+ h week-1 from the 2014 National NIOSH Quality of Work Life Survey, based on a representative sample of US workers. We used multiple linear regression for BMI and multiple logistic regression for obesity to estimate associations with 19 different work characteristics plus one set of occupational categories controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, job physical exertion, and television watching.
Results: We found significant positive linear associations between BMI and night shift (versus day shift) schedule (B = 2.28, P = 0.008) and blue-collar (versus management/professional) work (B = 1.75, P = 0.008). Night shift schedule [odds ratio (OR) = 2.19, P = 0.029], sales/office work (OR = 1.55, P = 0.040), and blue-collar work (OR = 2.63, P = 0.006) were associated with increased risk of obesity versus 'healthy weight'. No other statistically significant associations between work characteristics and BMI or obesity were observed.
Conclusions: Night shift schedule and blue-collar work were related to increased BMI and obesity risk in US workers in 2014. Identifying risk factors in blue-collar work and redesigning jobs to reduce those risk factors, and reducing night shift work, could play a role in reducing the prevalence of obesity in the USA
Citation
Myers S, Govindarajulu U, Joseph MA, Landsbergis P. Work Characteristics, Body Mass Index, and Risk of Obesity: The National Quality of Work Life Survey. Ann Work Expo Health. 2021 Apr 22;65(3):291-306. doi: 10.1093/annweh/wxaa098. PMID: 33125469; PMCID: PMC8244120.