Associations of sitting time and occupation with metabolic syndrome in South Korean adults: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious evidence suggests that there is a correlation between prolonged sitting time and cardio-metabolic disease, such as metabolic syndrome (MS). Cardiovascular disease is the second-leading cause of mortality in South Korea, a country with the longest working hours among all member states of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. However, no previous study has investigated the relationships of overall sitting-time and occupation with MS in South Korea. Accordingly, the present study examined these relationships in a South Korean population.MethodsData from the sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), a nationally representative survey with a cross-sectional design, were used in the present study. MS diagnoses were evaluated using the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) criteria. Participants self-reported their overall sitting times, and occupations were classified using the Korean version of the Standard Classification of Occupations (KSCO). A multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the associations of sitting time and occupation with MS.ResultsThe risk of MS was 1.21-fold higher among participants who sat for >7 h/day than among those who sat for ≤7 h/day (odds ratio [OR]: 1.21, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–1.46). Regarding occupation, office workers had a two-fold higher risk of MS than did agriculture, forestry, and fishery (AFF) workers (OR: 2.01, 95 % CI: 1.26–3.22). In a combined analysis of sitting time and occupation, male participants who sat for >7 h/day and reported an occupation that involves office work (OW) or machine fitting (MF) were significantly more likely to have MS when compared to those who sat for ≤7 h/day and were employed as AFF workers (>7 h/day × OW, OR: 2.41, 95 % CI: 1.05–5.51; >7 h/day × MF, OR: 2.92, 95 % CI: 1.43–5.93).ConclusionsExcessive sitting time and a sedentary occupation correlated positively with MS in South Korean adults. Accordingly, a reduction in the overall sitting time or inclusion of energy-expending activities in the workplace might improve the rate of MS.

Occupational distribution of metabolic syndrome prevalence and incidence differs by sex and is not explained by age and health behavior: results from 75 000 Dutch workers from 40 occupational groups

“…In addition, occupational groups associated with MetS vary between prevalence and incidence. Findings from the current cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses are in line with findings from previous cross-sectional studies on the association between occupational group membership and MetS [7][8][9][10] or components of MetS. [11][12][13][14][15][16] Previous studies found that MetS prevalence rates were high for male 'machine installers, operators, and assemblers' (15.1%) and for female 'skilled workers in agricultural and fishing industries' (8.9%), 7 and for non-sex specified, 'food preparation and service occupations' (31.1%).…”

“…First, studies on MetS are cross-sectional and therefore do not clarify whether occupational group membership contributes to the development of MetS or differences are merely a reflection of selection of metabolically unhealthy workers into specific occupational groups. [7][8][9][10] Second, studies did not adjust the relationship between occupational groups and MetS for smoking, physical activity, diet and alcohol consumption 7 9 -health behaviors known to predict MetS, 17 or did so with limited information on occupational group membership (ie, adjusted analyses with only five or 13 occupational groups). 8 10 Furthermore, the occupational distribution of MetS is likely to differ between men and women for several reasons.…”

Ethnicity and Metabolic Syndrome: Implications for Assessment, Management and Prevention

“…These associations occur even independently of physical activity levels. Cross-sectional studies in Americans [82], Brazilians [83] and Koreans [84] have reported positive associations between sedentary time and MetS. Randomised interventions aimed at reducing sedentary time have proven successful in increasing physical activity [85,86].…”

Association of sedentary behaviour patterns with dietary and lifestyle habits among public school teachers: a cross-sectional study

“…WHO report highlights that 3.2 million of deaths per year were attributed to sedentary lifestyle 3. Adult population spends around one-third to one-half of daily time in sedentary behaviour, with prolonged hours on screen devices as watching TV, using computers, participating in screen-based recreation or driving 4…”