Differences in Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence by Employment Type and Sex

Abstract

Workers may sometimes do the same work, but differ in their risk of health-related problems depending on whether the employment type is standard or non-standard. Furthermore, even with similar job and employment types, there may be differences in risk factors for health-related problems depending on sex. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) by employment type and sex using data from the Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES Ⅴ) (2010–2012) and KNHANES Ⅵ (2013–2015) conducted by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overall, 9523 adult wage workers (5523 standard workers and 4000 non-standard workers) aged ≥ 19 years were analyzed. To determine MetS prevalence odds ratios according to employment type, logistic regression analysis was performed disaggregated by sex. The prevalence of MetS significantly increased with age (p < 0.001), being married (p < 0.05), current smoking status (p < 0.05), and high-risk drinking (p < 0.001) among male subjects. The prevalence of MetS significantly increased among female manual workers (p < 0.001), those with lower educational level and household income (p < 0.001). Non-standard workers of either sex showed higher MetS prevalence than standard workers; only females showed significant difference (p < 0.001). Female non-standard workers showed 1.44, 1.33, and 1.34 (all p < 0.001) times higher odds of MetS prevalence in Models 1, 2, and 3, respectively, compared to standard workers, suggesting a difference in risk factors of MetS according to sex. Also, that employment type affects MetS prevalence suggests that employment pattern is an important risk factor especially in females. Therefore, to manage MetS in female non-standard workers, individual health care as well as social effort may be necessary.

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“…With respect to gender difference, in our study, multivariate analysis identified sex (male) [2.337 (2.012, 2.714), p < 0.001]) as one of independent risk factors for MetS. This result may be conflicted with some previous studies [36][37][38] . However, it was consistent with several European studies which had indicated lower prevalence in women than in men [39][40][41][42] .…”

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“…In Marquezine et al study 15 , general prevalence of MetS was not significantly different between genders, but a clear relation was established between the prevalence and progressing of age. In another study, the prevalence of MetS significantly increased with age only among male participants 16 , while in other study it increased in both men and women 17 . www.nature.com/scientificreports/ In our study, employment and education level as an indication of social status was linked to the MetS in the univariable analysis, and similar results were reported in some other studies.…”

“…Part-time or temporary workers of either gender showed higher MetS prevalence than full-time workers 16 , but job rank was not associated with MetS in Mehrdad et al study 18 . The prevalence of MetS significantly augmented with being married 16 , and smoking status 16,19 . The odds ratios (ORs) of suffering from MetS was significantly higher amongst people who smoked at least 20 cigarettes/day 20 .…”

“…The occurrence of MetS had significantly increased amongst female blue-collar workers, those with lower education level and household income 16 . Part-time or temporary workers of either gender showed higher MetS prevalence than full-time workers 16 , but job rank was not associated with MetS in Mehrdad et al study 18 . The prevalence of MetS significantly augmented with being married 16 , and smoking status 16,19 .…”

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“…There has been interest in assessing the prevalence of this syndrome among industry workers, and several studies have presented estimates for countries such as India, Korea and Japan. [2][3][4] Other studies have investigated the relationship of MetS with sex and industry sector. However, the relationship of MetS with food and nutrition public policy programs has not been adequately investigated.…”