Lifestyle and work ability in a general working population in Norway: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the association between multiple lifestyle-related risk factors (unhealthy diet, low leisure-time physical activity, overweight/obesity and smoking) and self-rated work ability in a general working population.SettingPopulation-based cross-sectional study, in Telemark County, Norway, 2013.ParticipantsA random sample of 50 000 subjects was invited to answer a self-administered questionnaire and 16 099 responded. Complete data on lifestyle and work ability were obtained for 10 355 participants aged 18–50 years all engaged in paid work during the preceding 12 months.Outcome measureWork ability was assessed using the Work Ability Score (WAS)—the first question in the Work Ability Index. To study the association between multiple lifestyle risk factors and work ability, a lifestyle risk index was constructed and relationships examined using multiple logistic regression analysis.ResultsLow work ability was more likely among subjects with an unhealthy diet (ORadj1.3, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.5), inactive persons (ORadj1.4, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.6), obese respondents (ORadj1.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 1.7) and former and current smokers (ORadj1.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.4 and 1.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.5, respectively). An additive relationship was observed between the lifestyle risk index and the likelihood of decreased work ability (moderate-risk score: ORadj1.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.6; high-risk score: ORadj1.9; 95% CI 1.6 to 2.2; very high risk score: ORadj2.4; 95% CI 1.9 to 3.0). The overall population attributable fraction (PAF) of low work ability based on the overall risk index was 38%, while the PAFs of physical activity, smoking, body mass index and diet were 16%, 11%, 11% and 6%, respectively.ConclusionsLifestyle risk factors were associated with low work ability. An additive relationship was observed. The findings are considered relevant to occupational intervention programmes aimed at prevention and improvement of decreased work ability.

Is low-back pain a limiting factor for senior workers with high physical work demands? A cross-sectional study

“…In the present study, we controlled for multiple potential confounders. The control variables were selected since they have previously been associated with pain, work limitations, and/or physical activity at work [34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41]. The analyses were controlled for age (continuous scale, years), sex (categorical; 'male' or 'female'), smoking status (categorical; 'No, never', 'Ex-smoker', 'Yes, but not every day' and 'Yes, every day'), body mass index (BMI) (continuous scale; kg/m 2 ), musculoskeletal pain in the neck/shoulder, arms and legs (continuous scale 0-10), psychosocial work environment (described below), educational level (described below), and physical activity during leisure (described below).…”

Lifestyle, sick leave and work ability among Norwegian employees with asthma—A population-based cross-sectional survey conducted in Telemark County, Norway

“…Diet was defined using food frequency questions previously validated and used in the Norwegian population-based Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT3) (2006)(2007)(2008) [26,27]. To reflect general dietary advice for improved health [28], a dietary sum score was constructed based on intake of fruits/berries and vegetables, fatty fish, sausages/hamburgers and chocolate/candies [21]. The sum score for each participant (scale 0-4) was calculated by summing their scores for the four indicators, reflecting the number of recommendations met [29].…”

“…Lifestyle risk index. An overall lifestyle risk index was calculated to investigate the possible additive effect of lifestyle risk factors on work ability [21]. To estimate relative health risk, the individual lifestyle factors were given weighted risk scores: 0 (low health risk), 0.5 (intermediate health risk) and 1 (high health risk), and then summed into an overall index ranging from 0 to 4 (Table 1).…”

“…Previous studies of associations between lifestyle factors and sick leave/work ability have largely examined a limited number of lifestyle factors. We have previously reported independent and additive relationships between multiple lifestyle risk factors (obesity, smoking, unhealthy diet and low physical activity) and low work ability in a large sample taken from the general working population in Norway [21]. However, few general population studies have examined multiple lifestyle risk factors and absence from work, and we are unaware of any studies which link these associations with asthma status.…”

Work Ability among Upper-Secondary School Teachers: Examining the Role of Burnout, Sense of Coherence, and Work-Related and Lifestyle Factors

“…Besides, lifestyle factors linked to risky health behaviors might decrease the levels of work ability. The lack of leisure-time physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, low sleep quality, and smoking may negatively affect work ability [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. The findings on alcohol drinking habits are ambiguous.…”